Mumbai, May 4 -- Germany's manufacturing sector continued to expand in April, with the S&P Global Germany Manufacturing PMI at 51.4, slightly down from March's 52.2 but still above the 50 mark that signals growth. Output and new orders increased for another month, supported partly by customers placing orders early to avoid rising prices and potential supply shortages. However, the pace of growth slowed as high prices and uncertainty began to weigh on demand.
Concerns about the impact of the Middle East war have weakened business confidence. For the first time in 18 months, more manufacturers expect production to decline over the coming year than to increase. Input costs rose sharply, recording the fastest increase in over three-and-a-half ...