The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report for July indicates a continued contraction in economic activities, marking the 13th consecutive month of decline since June 2023.
According to the report, the PMI for the month stood at 49.7 points, signaling a contraction in economic activities during the month but an improvement from the 48.8 points recorded in June.
The PMI is calculated based on responses regarding changes in various aspects of respondents’ business activities.
An index above 50.0 points signals an expansion in business activities, while an index below 50.0 points indicates a contraction. An index of exactly 50.0 points reflects no change in business activity.
The report noted that the increase in PMI for the month was driven by an expansion in output levels, suppliers’ delivery times, and inventory stocks, while new orders and employment contracted during the period.
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It stated, “In July 2024, the composite PMI stood at 49.7 points, indicating a contraction in economic activities for the 13th consecutive month.
However, the index shows improvement compared to the 48.8 points recorded in the previous month. Furthermore, Output Level, Suppliers’ Delivery Time, and Stock of Inventory expanded.
New Orders and Employment contracted at a slower rate compared to the levels recorded in the previous month.”
The report indicated that the Services Sector experienced expansion for the second consecutive month, while the Industry and Agricultural Sectors saw a slower rate of contraction compared to the previous month.
Within the Industry Sector, the Manufacturing, Construction, Mining & Quarrying, as well as the Electricity, Gas & Water Supply Subsectors, all recorded contractions during the review month.
Performance of the Industrial Sector
The report for July 2024 indicated that the Industry Sector PMI, at 48.3 points, marked its sixth consecutive month of contraction. However, there was an improvement in industrial activities, as reflected in higher production levels and faster suppliers’ delivery times compared to June 2024.
The Manufacturing; Mining, Quarrying, Electricity, Gas, and Water Supply; and Construction subsectors all registered declines in July 2024.
Among the 17 subsectors surveyed, 11 recorded contractions, while the remaining six experienced expansion. The subsectors with the most significant contraction and expansion were Transportation Equipment and Furniture & Related Products, respectively.
Services Sector
The report indicated that the Services Sector index in July 2024, at 50.3 points, showed expansion for the second consecutive time since May 2023.
Growth was observed in Business Activity and Stock of Raw Materials Inventory, while the level of New Orders declined, and Employment levels remained unchanged during the review month.
Of the 14 subsectors surveyed, eight recorded growths, while six reported declines. The Motion Pictures, Cinema, Sound Recording, and Music Production subsector registered the highest expansion, while the Management of Companies subsector experienced the most significant contraction.
Agriculture
The report showed that the Agriculture Sector index was at 49.7 points in July 2024, signaling a contraction in economic activities for the third consecutive month. Despite this, there was growth in General Farming Activity and the Stock of Agricultural Inventory.
However, New Orders and Employment Levels saw a decline. Among the five subsectors surveyed, Livestock, Fishing/Fish Farming, and Agricultural Support Services recorded contractions during the review month.
What you should know
The CBN Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the month of July aligns with that of Stanbic IBTC which both showed a contraction in economic activities for the month.
The Stanbic PMI noted that exchange rate weakness was negatively affecting new orders for businesses leading to high prices.
Businesses in the real economy in Nigeria have had to deal with almost three-decade high inflation coupled with depreciation of the naira and decline in demand from consumers as well as increased operational cost.
However, despite this economic malaise, the Nigerian economy has shown resilience and posted a growth of 2.92% in the first quarter of the year closer to earlier projections between 3.0% and 3.3% in 2024.
