Although the rate of expansion in output regained some ground, slower increases were seen in new orders and employment. That said, the sector continued to maintain solid growth during the month.

There were also signs of softening inflationary pressures, with both input costs and output prices rising at weaker rates. The headline IHS Markit Spain Manufacturing PMI posted 54.4 in April, thereby signalling a solid improvement in the health of the sector. That said, down from 54.8 in March, the PMI signalled a weaker strengthening of business conditions, and one that was the slowest since September 2017.