Poland: Manufacturing PMI rises to eight-month high

The manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose from February’s 52.8 to 53.8 in March, according to a release provided by Markit. The reading represented the best print in eight months as the index moved further above the 50-threshold that separates expansion from contraction in the manufacturing sector.

March’s reading mainly reflected across-the-board improvements with new orders expanding at the fastest pace in eight months. In addition, employment rose at the quickest pace in one year. Looking forward, Markit noted that, "stronger increases in new orders, jobs and input stocks bode well for the second quarter.”

FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect fixed investment to expand 4.9% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month’s estimate. For 2017, the panel sees fixed investment expanding 5.6%.