Sri Lanka’s PMI for manufacturing and services activities expanded in March

Purchasing Managers’ Indices (PMI) for both Manufacturing and Services activities expanded in March. Indicating a strong revival in manufacturing activities in the country, the manufacturing PMI reached a 9-month high at 67.0 in March 2021.

This was largely attributable to the increases observed in Production, New Orders, and Stock of Purchases sub-indices.

The significant increases in New Orders and Production subindices, particularly in the manufacture of food & beverages and textile & wearing apparel sectors, have mainly contributed to the improvement in the overall index. Many respondents in the manufacture of food & beverages sector highlighted that they experienced higher levels of sales and production during March 2021 ahead of the New Year festival season. Further, respondents from the textile & wearing apparel sector mentioned that they increased production during the month to cover-up seasonal holidays.

Meanwhile, the Stock of Purchases sub-index increased in line with the expansion in New Orders and Production. The employment sub-index also expanded at a higher rate.

The Suppliers’ Delivery Time sub-index lengthened at a slower pace during the month. Many respondents highlighted that some easing in suppliers’ delivery time was experienced with the gradual resolvement in shipping related issues. However, freight rates remain at elevated levels, increasing the cost of raw materials, which in turn adversely affected their profit margins.

Expectations for manufacturing activities in the next three months remained at improved levels anticipating a further improvement in economic activities within the country as well as in major export markets.

Services PMI rose to 62.1 in March 2021, indicating an expansion of the services sector for the fourth straight month.

This increase was underpinned by the expansions observed in new businesses, business activities, employment and expectations for activity.

New businesses in the services sector increased in March 2021, particularly with the improvements observed in financial services, other personal services, and wholesale and retail trade sub-sectors.

For the fourth straight month, the business activities in the services sector increased in March 2021 with increases observed almost across all sub-sectors. Mainly, financial services sub-sector recorded a further improvement during the month in line with the progresses in economic activities. With the festive season, wholesale and retail trade, and transportation sub-sectors also expanded further.

-Central Bank