Falls 6.9 points , lowest level in three years .”Falls in manufacturing production and employment were the major factors behind the sharp drop in the PMI” , AiG CEO said in a statement. ” The industry is experiencing substantial pressures driven by the strong Aussie dollar, cost increases, slow growth in domestic demand and competition from lower cost sources of production. ” “As suggested by another drop in new orders and with the full impact of the carbon tax (started July !st.) still to be felt, further falls in overall activity are likely in the months ahead.
BBG
Aussie $ unchanged at 1.0488.