Australia Industry Index Manufacturing

The Ai Group Industry Index for Australia’s manufacturing sector improved to -18.0 in November from -22 in October, but activity remained weak. Manufacturing trends were mixed with soft demand, rising costs and labour shortages weighing on output, while machinery orders and some export demand provided limited relief. The chemicals index rebounded to -19.9 as seasonal factors and stronger export sales helped, though cost and drought pressures persist. Minerals and metals edged down to -37.0 amid higher energy and wage costs and weak customer confidence. The machinery and equipment index improved to -7.9 driven by stronger orders, and food, beverages and TCF fell to -14.1 with rising input costs and weather related supply disruptions.