SINGAPORE - The manufacturing sector showed more signs of recovery in January thanks in part to a stronger showing from the electronics segment, a key gauge showed on Monday .A reading over 50 indicates expansion; one below points to contraction.
Improving manufacturing sentiment here is at odds with the latest PMI readings across most of Asia. These suggest that factories in the region are bracing for supply-chain disruptions from the coronavirus outbreak in China. "However, the survey did not indicate their concern of the coronavirus outbreak. In view of the accelerated outbreak, I expect that the overall manufacturing sector will be impacted in the next PMI survey."
The electronics order backlog index reverted to marginal expansion after posting contractions for 20 continuous months, the SIPMM said.