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ECONOMISTS’ VIEWS: HOW STRONG IS THE UK’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR?
ANDREW GOODWIN | Ernst and Young Item club
The pickup in export demand is a welcome development, but that’s coming from a very low base. Activity is still, at best, stagnating.
HOWARD ARCHER | IHS global insight
The data suggest domestic demand for manufactured goods contracted significantly, and employment fell for a third month running.
DAVID TINSLEY | BNP Paribas
The PMI figures offer a glimmer of hope. New orders are contracting, but the rate has slackened considerably, and export orders actually rose.