Czech manufacturing downturn slows in March, PMI shows

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The contraction in Czech manufacturing eased in March, creeping closer to levels showing stabilisation as falls in output and orders slowed, the S&P Global Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showed on Tuesday.

Headline PMI rose to 48.3 in March from 47.7 in February, staying below the 50 mark that divides expansion from contraction. The reading was mostly in line with a Reuters poll forecast of 48.5.

The rate of decline in manufacturing has eased during the first quarter and was the weakest since the contraction started in June 2022.

Among components, the fall in output was also the smallest in the cycle, helped by a softer reduction in new orders. Some firms saw demand conditions recovering, the survey said.

Costs, though, rose in the month, largely due to materials prices, firms said. Some firms raised their selling prices for the first time since last year, according to the survey.

Month/Year 03/25 02/25 03/24

Purchasing Managers' Index 48.3 47.7 46.2

Output 49.5 49.1 46.0

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(Reporting by Jason Hovet; Editing by Hugh Lawson)