Indian service providers signal robust growth in October on strong demand conditions

India's services PMI rebounds to 58.5 in October, driven by strong output, new business, and job creation, signaling economic growth.

India’s services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)recovered from its ten-month low in September to reach 58.5 in October supported by strong expansions in output and new business, which in turn boosted job creation, a monthly survey said on Wednesday.

The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services Business Activity Index increased from 57.7 in September to 58.5 in October, as robust sales pipelines and strong demand conditions supported the upturn in business activity.

In the PMI parlance, a print above 50 means expansion, while a score below 50 denotes contraction.

“India’s services PMI recovered from its ten-month low in September to reach 58.5 last month. During October, the Indian services sector experienced strong expansions in output and consumer demand, as well as job creation, which achieved a 26-month high,” Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC, said.

The latest data also highlighted a recovery in growth of new export sales across India’s service economy, which survey respondents attributed to strengthening demand from clients in Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and the U.K.

In response to positive sales developments, and optimism regarding near-term prospects, firms recruited extra workers to the greatest degree in just over two years.

Moreover, capacity pressures also boosted job creation. Around 13% of panellists reported job creation, compared to 9% in September.