12 May 2016

Manufacturing activity improves

3:46 pm on 12 May 2016

Manufacturing activity has perked up to its best level in three months.

The BNZ-Business Performance of Manufacturing Index rose a seasonally adjusted 1.8 points in April to 56.5.

That is the highest reading since January, and a rebound from the six month low in March.

A reading over 50 indicates expansion.

All sub-indices improved but the strongest gains were for production and deliveries.

BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said the rise points to solid economic growth over the rest of the year.