S'pore PMI shrinks for 6th month in a row

Manufacturing indicator posts 49.5 reading as hiring, production, new demand fell in Dec

Some economists are now worried that Singapore might be losing its competitiveness as factories here appear to be stuck in the doldrums even as their overseas peers in the value-added segment, such as South Korea and Taiwan, are starting to see the f
Some economists are now worried that Singapore might be losing its competitiveness as factories here appear to be stuck in the doldrums even as their overseas peers in the value-added segment, such as South Korea and Taiwan, are starting to see the first signs of a recovery. PHOTO: REUTERS

Singapore's factories closed the year with a whimper as hiring, production and new demand all fell further last month.

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) - an early indicator of manufacturing activity - contracted for a sixth straight month to post a reading of 49.5.

A reading below 50 shows that more purchasing managers reported a deterioration in business than those noting an improvement.

Broadly, global demand for manufacturing has been weak.

However, some economists are now worried that Singapore might be losing competitiveness as factories here appear to be stuck in the doldrums even as their overseas rivals in the value-added segment are starting to see the first signs of a recovery.

South Korea posted a December PMI of 50.7 - while Taiwan hit 51.7 yesterday, reversing months of contractions to reach levels of activity not seen since February last year, according to data compiled by Nikkei and Markit Economics.

"That leaves Singapore eating the dust," said United Overseas Bank economist Francis Tan.

"The test will be in the next few months, if their PMIs strengthen and ours does not. Then we must ask, 'Is this the restructuring we intended where we don't mind losing out?'

"I hope not to see Singapore's manufacturing output contract while our close competitors see green shoots."

The mood is dark even as manufacturers ring in the new year.

Mr C. K. Wong, managing director of oilfield equipment manufacturer HME Technologies, said: "The economic situation in 2016 will be worse than 2015. A lot of businesses will be affected. I expect the manufacturing activity in the marine and offshore engineering segment to slowly pick up in the last quarter of 2017."

Even the most optimistic economist forecasts for a manufacturing rebound this year are premised on a patchy economic recovery in the United States and a low base effect from the weak activity last year.

Credit Suisse economist Michael Wan said: "Compared with the region, we're losing competitiveness. That's been a trend for the last three, four years. As wage costs rise, I don't expect this trend to reverse.

"This year, you will probably see more companies continue to move out of Singapore to Malaysia, or the rest of South-east Asia."

Last month's PMI was slightly higher than November's 49.2 reading, but DBS economist Irvin Seah warned the uptick is not an upward trend, but seasonal effects at play.

"There's nothing to cheer about. The pick-up is more likely due to manufacturers front-loading production ahead of the Chinese New Year lull period in February."

And while the Singapore economy may have grown more than expected in the fourth quarter going by yesterday's advance estimate from October and November data, last month's PMI cast a pall on most economists' outlooks.

Mr Tan said: "The PMI tells me that at least in the first half of 2016, manufacturing doesn't seem to be edging up."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 05, 2016, with the headline S'pore PMI shrinks for 6th month in a row. Subscribe