Manufacturing output returns to growth in February
The health of the sector has now strengthened in three successive months.
The health of the sector has now strengthened in three successive months.
While purchasing activity and employment were scaled back, business sentiment improved to a 16-month high.
Although marked, the latest decline in business conditions was much less severe than that seen during the worst of the Covid-19 related downturn in April.
Record falls were seen in output, new orders, employment and purchasing amid company shutdowns and the cancellation of orders.
Over 80% of CEOs taking part in a survey noted Covid-19 would have a negative impact on their business this year.