Purchasing index hit 6 months low in January

substantial increases in input costs and selling prices contributed to a moderation in expansion of outputs

Latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released Thursday by Stanbic IBTC Bank signaled an expansion in the Nigerian private sector in January, with a solid rise in new orders underpinning growth.

However, substantial increases in input costs and selling prices contributed to a moderation in expansion of outputs and purchasing activity, the data showed.

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As a result, firms looked to cut costs by reducing their workforce. Nevertheless, the degree of positive sentiment improved to the highest since April last year, with hopes of greater demand fueling optimism.

The headline PMI registered at 50.7 in January, down from 51.8 in December, but signaling an improvement in business conditions at the Nigerian private sector.

That said, the latest reading indicated the softest rate of expansion since July.

Readings above 50 signals an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50 shows a deterioration.

New order inflows rose solidly in January despite the pace of growth moderating from that in December.

According to firms, a new client wins and an improving demand environment leads to the uptick. Output rose marginally, which extended the current period of growth to two months. Anecdotal evidence suggested that a rise in demand offset the negative impacts of higher prices.

Average cost burdens faced by private sector firms in Nigeria rose at a substantial pace.

According to panel members, material shortages, unfavourable exchange rate movements and higher wages drove the latest uptick.

Firms passed higher expenses onto clients with the rate of charged inflation the sharpest since August and one of the fastest in the survey’s seven-year history.

As part of an effort to reduce cash outflows, firms cut workforce numbers at the start of the year.

The rate of job shedding was solid and the second sharpest in the series. Despite this, firms were able to complete existing orders with backlogs reducing for the eighth month running.