Mumbai, Oct. 1 -- German manufacturers reported the strongest production growth in three-and-a-half years in September, according to the latest HCOB PMI survey. However, the survey's more forward-looking indicators weakened, with business expectations for the year ahead sinking to the lowest in nine months and firms facing a renewed decline in intakes of new work.
On the supply side, the latest data showed the first increase in average delivery times for inputs in almost three years. That was despite firms scaling back their purchasing activity, which had in turn contributed to further downward pressure on input costs.
The headline HCOB Germany Manufacturing PMI came in at 49.5 in September, showing a slight decline from August's 38-month...