01.04.201907:40:00UTC+00Taiwan Manufacturing Activity Decline Slows In March

Taiwan's manufacturing activity declined at the slowest pace in six months in March, survey figures from IHS Markit showed Monday.

The headline Nikkei Taiwan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 49.0 in March from 46.3 in February. However, a reading below 50 suggests decline in activity.

Output declined at the weakest pace in six months, easing notably from February's record. Orders logged the softest fall since last September.

New export work fell for the seventh month in row, albeit at a weaker pace. The rate of backlogs depleted fractionally. The companies increased their employment level slightly for the first time in four months.

Input cost rose at a quickest rate since last November and prices for raw materials increased. That said, firms slashed their selling prices for the fourth consecutive month to boost client demand.

Business sentiment regarding the 12-month outlook for output turned positive for the first time this year, though confidence remained subdued overall, the survey said.