Although output rose at a slightly quicker rate, new order growth slowed amid a renewed fall in new export work. Consequently, purchasing activity rose only modestly, while firms noted higher inventories of both inputs and finished items.

The headline seasonally adjusted Purchasing Managers' Index registered 51.1 in April, up fractionally from 51.0 in March. Operating conditions have now strengthened in each of the past 11 months, though the pace of improvement was only marginal.