New Delhi, Aug. 1 -- India's manufacturing activity gained further momentum in July, rising to a 16-month high of 59.1 from 58.4 in June, driven by stronger growth in new orders, output, and inventory buildup, according to the data of HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI).

The rating agency said that firms bought extra inputs to broadly the same extent as in June, however, whilst job creation receded to the weakest since November 2024.

Meanwhile, business confidence retreated to its lowest level in three years.

"Rising from 58.4 in June to 59.1 in July, the seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI(R)) - a single-figure indicator of sector performance - signalled the strongest impr...