Footwear production falls
Australian manufacturing activity contracted for the fourth consecutive month in September.
The Australian Industry Group/PriceWaterhouseCoopers Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) rose 0.2 points to 47.2 in September (seasonally adjusted), below the 50.0 threshold that separates growth from contraction.
While the machinery and equipment sector recorded solid growth, a significant decline was seen in the clothing and footwear sectors.