Manufacturers face tough year despite rise in orders
28 August 2012
The growth rate of Britain's manufacturing sector increased in November, the fifth successive monthly rise, signalling a strong beginning to the new year.
But despite the optimistic outlook, purchasers face a year of uncertainty in 2004.
The purchasing managers' index (PMI), published by CIPS and Reuters, rose to 54.5, up from a revised 54.3 in October. A figure above 50 indicates growth on the previous month.
The order intake for November was the strongest since December 1999.
Export orders showed...