Australian PMI – Manufacturing expands again in May

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) edged 0.1 points higher to 61.8 in May, indicating an eighth consecutive month of recovery following the severe disruptions of Covid-19 in Q2 of 2020 (readings above 50 points indicate expansion in activity, with higher results indicating a faster rate of expansion).

The May result represents the index’s highest monthly result since March 2018 and the fourth highest since the Australian PMI commenced in 1992.

Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox said, “Australia’s manufacturing sector maintained its rapid pace of expansion in May fuelled by strong demand from the construction sector, a pick-up in business investment and healthy demand from households. Each of the six diverse manufacturing groups expanded at a more rapid rate in the month led by the machinery and equipment; building products; and chemicals sectors. Manufacturing production and employment accelerated and, while the pace of expansion eased from April’s record high, sales also continued to rise.

“Manufacturers experienced further pressure on input costs and with wages also rising more rapidly, they are seeking to recover some of these extra costs from customers. With capacity utilisation running at high levels and new orders continuing to grow, manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to fill positions. While the new Victorian lockdown will dampen enthusiasm somewhat, these conditions are likely to be setting the stage for a lift in investment by manufacturers,” Willox said.

All six manufacturing sectors in the Australian PMI expanded in May and at a faster pace than in April. The strongest results were in the sectors that directly supply the construction sector, including building materials (up 3.8 points to 66.4), machinery and equipment (up 0.2 points to 64.7) and chemicals (up 2.1 points to 65.7).