NZ manufacturing activity recovers in August as construction demand stokes production, new orders

NZ manufacturing activity recovers in August as construction demand stokes production, new orders
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Sept. 14 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand's manufacturing activity grew at a faster pace in August as increased demand from the construction industry underpinned a pick-up in production and new orders.  The BNZ-BusinessNZ performance of manufacturing index increased 0.8 of a point to a seasonally adjusted 52 last month, snapping three months of slowing growth although still below the long-run average of 53.4. A reading of 50 separates expanding activity from contraction.  The acceleration in activity was backed by an increas...