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India’s services sector has surged to its highest level in six months, driven by robust demand, according to the latest data from the HSBC final India Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global. The report indicates that India’s economy continues to hold its position as the fastest-growing among major economies, providing relief to the government and allowing it to concentrate on fiscal consolidation.
The final reading of the PMI for India’s services sector soared to 61.8 in January, up from December’s 59.0, surpassing the preliminary estimate of 61.2. This marks the 30th consecutive month of expansion, with a reading above the crucial 50-mark that separates expansion from contraction.
Ines Lam, economist at HSBC, highlighted that new business expanded at an accelerated pace, with managers expressing strong expectations for future activity. Additionally, the index for new export business accelerated, indicating robustness in India’s services exports, reaching a three-month high.
The optimism among firms at the beginning of the final quarter of fiscal year 2023-24 is palpable, with confidence around year-ahead activity hitting its highest level since September. This positive sentiment has led firms to continue adding workers to their payrolls. Although operating costs rose at the quickest pace since August, prices charged increased at the slowest pace in nearly a year, suggesting a moderation in inflationary pressures.
Despite overall inflation in the country reaching a four-month high in December, remaining above the Reserve Bank of India’s medium-term target of 4%, the strong economic growth is expected to prompt the central bank to maintain steady interest rates for at least a few months.
The services sector’s robust performance is complemented by the manufacturing sector, which expanded at the fastest pace in four months. The overall HSBC India Composite PMI Output Index rose to a six-month high of 61.2 in January, up from December’s 58.5, surpassing the flash estimate of 61.0.
The data therefore explain India’s resilience and ability to weather economic challenges, positioning it as a frontrunner in the global economic landscape. With sustained growth momentum and buoyant business sentiment, India’s services sector remains a key driver of the country’s economic resurgence.