India’s economy surges further ahead in February
Live MintThe Indian economy, which expanded at a four-month high in January, continued to strengthen in February, seeing accelerations in both manufacturing and services sectors during the month. While services sector growth climbed to a seven-month high in February, manufacturing sector growth reached a five-month high, firming India’s position as one of the fastest-growing major economies. The HSBC Flash India Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by S&P Global, climbed to 61.5 in February from a revised reading of 61.2 for January—well above the 50-point threshold that differentiates expansion from contraction. Activity in the manufacturing industry also accelerated at a sharper rate, with the HSBC Flash India Manufacturing PMI Output Index rising to 60.4 in February from 59.7 in January. The rise in the HSBC Flash India Composite PMI comes at a time when inflation remains within RBI’s tolerance level and amid a moderation in exports and a fall in core sector growth.