Dutch manufacturing activity expanded at the weakest pace in six months in September, as new orders rose at slower rates, survey figures from Markit Economics showed Thursday.

The seasonally adjusted headline NEVI Purchasing Managers’ Index, or PMI, dropped to 53.0 in September from 53.9 in the prior month. However, any reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector.

Output climbed for the twenty-ninth consecutive month in September, with the rate of growth was solid and marginally sharper than in August.

New orders increased at the slowest pace in thirteen months in September. Growth of new export orders also eased to the least marked for just over a year.

Manufacturing employment increased again in September. The rate of job creation was little-changed from the moderate pace seen in August.

On the price front, input prices decreased for the first time in six months in September, due to lower prices paid for metals and oil-related items. Output prices also dropped for the first time in four months on competitive pressures and spare capacity.

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