NZ manufacturing activity slows in June as firms reduce hiring

NZ manufacturing activity slows in June as firms reduce hiring
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth July 14 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand's manufacturing activity extended its run of expansion for another month in June, albeit at a slower pace, as firms reined in employment in the face of growing labour shortages.  The BusinessNZ-Bank of New Zealand performance of manufacturing index fell 2 points to a seasonally adjusted 56.2 in June, extending its run of expansionary readings above 50 in every month since October 2012. The employment sub-index dropped 5.5 points to 49.5, the first time since the sector contracted since N...