New Delhi, Nov. 2 -- India's manufacturing sector growth maintained momentum with another expansion in October, although the rise was less than the pace in the previous month due to softer increases in output and new orders, a private survey showed.

Growth of new export orders, which reached a six-month high, and easing price pressures provided the support, with companies continuing to add jobs and build inventories, although hiring remained subdued and business confidence weakened, according to the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) released on Monday.

The seasonally adjusted index fell to 54.7 in October from 55.1 in September and remained below the flash figure readings of 54.9. But the index was comfortably ab...