Italy’s manufacturing sector gained further momentum in April helped by increases in output and new orders, survey data from Markit Economics showed Monday.

The headline Markit/ADACI Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 53.8 in April from 53.3 in March. It was forecast to remain unchanged at 53.3.

The operating conditions improved for the third straight month and the reading was the second-highest seen over the past four years.

Production levels of manufacturers increased at the most marked pace in 12 months. Higher demand was a key factor behind rising output in April. The rate of job creation was solid and the strongest seen since February 2011.

On the price front, data showed a rise in average output prices among manufacturers for the first time since last November. At the same time, the increase in average input costs in April was the sharpest for nine months.

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