Manufacturing growth rate slowest in 9 months

The country’s manufacturing sector showed its slowest rate of growth for nine months in January, according to new data.

The latest monthly purchasing managers’ index from NCB Stockbrokers measured a 50.3 point reading for manufacturing industries last month. This continued a recent downward trend — as December showed a 51.4 point reading and November a 52.4 point showing.

Any reading over the 50 point mark, however, illustrates a sector in growth mode, while anything below represents decline.