New Delhi, Dec. 1 -- India's manufacturing sector is losing its edge due to the adverse impact of US trade tariffs. The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) slid to 56.6 in November from 59.2 in October. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, but the latest figure marks the slowest improvement in operating conditions since February.

Total new orders and output grew at their weakest pace in nine months. Although Indian firms saw favourable sales trends in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, export order growth softened. The New Export Orders index hit a 13-month low last month. Consequently, the Future Output Index, a PMI gauge of business confidence, slipped to a nearly three-and-a-half-yea...