Steady state – PMI 15 Sep 2016 55.1August-0.4Monthly Changeexpandingslower rate Catherine Beard Director, Advocacy BusinessNZ View profile New Zealand's manufacturing sector remained in a steady state of expansion, according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).The seasonally adjusted PMI for August was 55.1 (a PMI reading above 50.0 indicates that manufacturing is generally expanding; below 50.0 that it is declining). This was 0.4 points lower than July, but still represented healthy growth for manufacturing in New Zealand. The sector remains solidly in expansion in almost all months since October 2012.BusinessNZ's executive director for manufacturing Catherine Beard said that the five sub-indexes showed varied movements in activity since June."Employment (47.4) experienced the biggest hit after four consecutive increases in expansion. Production (55.7) slipped slightly, although new orders (59.1) remained strong". "The slight dip in overall expansion was mirrored by the proportion of positive comments decreasing to 58.4% for August, compared with 62.8% in June to 63.8% in July. A number of negative comments were centered on this time of year being typically quiet, while positive comments tended to focus on ongoing orders, as well as preparation for the summer season".BNZ Senior Economist, Craig Ebert, said "although the seasonally adjusted August result eased slightly to 55.1, this was a trivial move statistically, leaving the PMI happily north of its long-term average of 53.1".View the Time Series Data Main Indicies Regional Results Craig Ebert Senior Economist, BNZ The PMINew Zealand's Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) was still looking good in August. Sure, it eased to a seasonally adjusted level of 55.1, compared to 55.5 in July. However, this was a trivial move, statistically, leaving the PMI happily north of its long-term average of 53.1.Read more OutputA still-strong new-orders index (59.1) was important in keeping the August PMI looking good. However, its production index lost a bit more momentum, coming in at a seasonally adjusted 55.7, from 57.8 in July and a peak of 60.9 back in May.Read more EmploymentHaving been relatively strong over recent months, the PMI employment index sagged quite a bit in August. Indeed, it fell into contraction territory, with a seasonally adjusted reading of 47.7, from 54.4 in July.Read more ResourcesA quiet achiever in the latest PMI survey remains Petroleum, Coal, Chemical and Associated Product. Indeed, it has been robust for a good 12 months now, with an index reading averaging 58.9.Read more . View full BNZ Manufacturing Snapshot PMI Time Series TableThe results are seasonally adjusted. National Indicies Aug2015Apr2016May2016Jun2016 July2016 Aug2016 BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI 55.356.657.057.555.555.1 Production55.858.860.960.457.855.7 Employment 53.450.353.253.654.447.4 New Orders57.059.559.961.358.159.1 Finished Stocks52.252.849.450.749.250.7 Deliveries53.256.555.256.155.155.9 View the Time Series Data BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI Time Series January 2018 – August 2016 International ResultsJ.P. Morgan Global Manufacturing PMITM 1 Sep 201650.8 In this section Surveys & Statistics Performance of Manufacturing Index Performance of Services Index Compliance Cost Survey Exporters Survey Southern Cross Health Society - BusinessNZ Wellness in the Workplace Survey Reports & Publications BusinessNZ Planning Forecast International BusinessNZ RAT Suppliers Guides & Tools BusinessNZ RAT Suppliers RATs for non-critical business, agencies and organisations BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI Time Series Data View seasonally adjusted and unadjusted time series data for the BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI BNZ is delighted to be associated with the Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) and BusinessNZ.This association brings together the significant experience of leading business advocacy body BusinessNZ, and business finance specialist BNZ.We look forward to continuing our association with BusinessNZ and associated regional organisations, and to playing our part in the ongoing development of the New Zealand manufacturing sector. View website Media Comment For media comment, please contact: Catherine Beard, BusinessNZ 04 496 6560 Craig Ebert, BNZ 04 474 6799 Technical Comment For more information or assistance with data interpretation, please contact: Steve Summers 04 496 6564 ssummers@businessnz.org.nz Our Contributors The BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI contains data obtained through BusinessNZ's regional organisations About the PMI The BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index is a monthly survey of the manufacturing sector providing an early indicator of activity levels.A PMI reading above 50 points indicates manufacturing activity is expanding; below 50 indicates it is contracting.The main PMI and sub-index results are seasonally adjusted. Related Articles Blooming good – PMI Steady state – PMI Now hiring – PMI Stretching out – PMI Pumping production – PMI View more