Manufacturing output rises, but orders fall

The manufacturing sector's purchasing managers' index (PMI) appears to have improved in Greece, but S&P Global that compiles it seems particularly concerned about the course of the sector, given the decline in new orders.

According to what S&P Global announced on Friday, the PMI index in Greece stood at 51.2 points in October, up from 50.3 points in September.

This rise is attributed to the increase in output recorded in October, after a slight contraction in the previous period. Interestingly, however, the increase in production is not so much thanks to greater demand, but mainly because of efforts to build contingency stock of finished products, which may be related to concern about a generalized conflict in the Middle East, as well as the possible effects on the global economy from the outcome of the US presidential election on Tuesday. It is no coincidence that...