While the seasonally adjusted Kagiso Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) recovered slightly in June, edging up to 46.6 index points from 44.3 in May, the average PMI for the second quarter, at 46.1, was below the neutral 50-point mark and the first quarter’s 50.6 index point average.

“The poor PMI readings for May and June suggest that actual factory output remained under pressure in the second quarter," said Kagiso Asset Management head of research Abdul Davids in a statement on Tuesday. “However, the manufacturing sector’s contribution to gross domestic product might be less negative in the second quarter compared with the first – mainly owing to the solid actual production figure [, which was down by 1.4%  – less than expected] for April, as reported by Statistics South Africa.”

Davids noted that South Africa’s PMI remained well below international levels. “In the US, the flash manufacturing reading rose to 57.5 index points – the highest level since May 2010, while the preliminary Chinese figure also showed fresh signs of strength. Activity in the eurozone slowed to a seven-month low in June but the flash index, at 51.9 index points, still signalled growth.”

The main driver behind the slight recovery in the South African PMI was the sharp increase in the employment index to 49.3 in June from 37.2 in May. Davids highlighted that May’s reading was relatively low compared with recent levels that came in closer to 50 index points. “This implies that the index returned to more normal levels, rather than suggesting a fundamental improvement in the job market,” he said.

On the negative side, both the new sales orders and business activity indices inched lower. The new sales orders index fell to 43.9 index points from 44.8, while the business activity index fell for a third straight month to 39.5 index points – firmly in contractionary territory.

Commenting on the new sales orders index, Davids pointed out that the continuation of the five-month-long platinum mining strike during the majority of June most likely weighed on the already weak domestic demand environment. “The slow but steady ramping-up of production after the strike was resolved late in June and should support demand for some of the manufacturing subsectors in coming months,” he added.

The price index rose slightly to 73.8 index points from 70.8 in May, but remained significantly below the average reading for the first quarter of 92.5 points. Despite ongoing tough conditions, respondents remained optimistic about an improvement in expected business conditions in six months’ time. The index fell slightly to 58.3 in June from 59.6 in May. The PMI leading indicator, the ratio between new sales orders and inventories, fell further below level one, not boding well for future production growth, noted Kagiso.