The HSBC/Markit PMI index, based on a survey of 500 companies, fell to 57.2 in Apri from 57.8 in March. This is the second consecutive monthly fall coming off a 20-month high in February.
Survey compiler Markit was quick to point out “Although this slip indicates that operating conditions improved at a weaker rate during the latest survey period, the latest reading still signalled a considerable strengthening in the health of the industry.”
