Singapore manufacturing output shrinks for the first time in over a year
Industrial production fell by 3.1% last month on a year-on-year basis, reversing from the revised 1.7% gain in December.
Singapore’s manufacturing output shrank for the first time since December 2017 for the month of January, due to declines in output from the electronics and precision engineering clusters. Singapore’s weak factory activity narrates a similar picture seen by regional factories, as manufacturers face a cool down in production due to the electronics downcycle and global trade uncertainty.
Industrial production fell by 3.1% last month on a year-on-year basis, reversing from the revised 1.7% gain in December, data from the Singapore Economic Development Board showed. Excluding the biomedical manufacturing cluster, manufacturing output shrank by 5.9% on a year-on-year basis.
January’s fall was, however, in line with economists’ expectations.
The latest manufacturing purchasing managers’ index data from the Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management earlier this month revealed Singapore’s manufacturing growth slowing to a two-year low in January. The electronics sector remained in contraction for the third straight month.
Singapore’s weak factory numbers are aligned with regional weakness. Slower manufacturing conditions are seen in most Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia and Thailand, as factories come off from the electronics upcycle and face uncertainties to trade due to trade tensions between China and the United States.
On a seasonally-adjusted month-on-month basis, total manufacturing output rose 1.8% in January, easing from the 4.7% gain in December.
Manufacturing output down for electronics and precision engineering clusters
The electronics cluster, which contributes close to one-third of total manufacturing output, deepened into negative territory with a 13.7% year-on-year decline for last month, extending from the revised 11.5% fall in the previous month. The decline seen in January was due to lesser production output from semiconductors, computer peripherals, data storage, and infocomms & consumer electronics.
Meanwhile the precision engineering cluster fell by 15.7% compared to a year ago as both its machinery and systems and precision modules and components segments contracted in output.
Biomedical manufacturing, transport engineering, chemicals, and general manufacturing clusters rise in output for January
The biomedical manufacturing cluster rose 10.0%, as pharmaceuticals and medical technology outputs climbed up by 13.5% and 1.5%, respectively.
The transport engineering cluster increased by 20.2%, as the output for marine and offshore engineering, aerospace, and land segments rose.
Output from the chemicals and general manufacturing clusters gained 2.0% and 3.2%, respectively.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
Discover how to trade the markets
Explore the range of markets you can trade – and learn how they work – with IG Academy's free ’introducing the financial markets’ course.
Live prices on most popular markets
- Equities
- Indices
- Forex
- Commodities
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.
