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According to the Hungarian Association of Logistics, Purchasing and Inventory Management (Halpim), the July reading was below the long-term average for the month of 52.6, but above the 48.9 average recorded in the previous three Julys. Nine of the individual indices monitored by the survey remained in expansion territory.
The output index increased from June and stayed above the 50-point threshold separating expansion from contraction. The new orders index fell by 1.7 points but continued to signal growth.
Employment improved by 2.2 points to 50.8, moving just into expansion territory. The purchased inventories index declined by 0.8 point but remained above 50, while the delivery times index rose by 2.4 points, although it continued to indicate longer lead times.
Purchasing volumes also weakened but still pointed to growth. Purchasing prices continued to rise sharply, although the relevant index fell by 3.8 points from the previous month.
Respondents reported notable price increases for steel, electronic and electrical products, plastics, paper products, printed circuit boards, stainless steel sheets and cleaning products. Shortages were reported for semiconductors, industrial PC components, memory products and microswitches.
The survey is based on responses from purchasing managers at 100 manufacturing companies.
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