Italy factory activity remains buoyant in June -PMI
ROME, July 1 (Reuters) - Italy's manufacturing sector maintained strong growth in June, expanding for a 12th month running, a survey showed on Thursday, amid rising demand as coronavirus curbs are relaxed.
The IHS Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) came in at 62.2, broadly stable from 62.3 in May and well above the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction. May's reading was the highest since the survey began in June 1997.
June's index level exactly matched the median forecast in a Reuters survey of 17 analysts.
The new orders sub-index decreased to 62.6 in June from 64.4 the month before.
Unlike the larger services sector, which continues to struggle although it showed signs of recovery in May, factories in Italy have been spared the restrictions on business and movement imposed to try to rein in COVID-19 infections.
Over the whole of last year gross domestic product shrank by 8.9%, Italy's steepest post-war recession. Mario Draghi's national unity government forecasts a partial rebound of 4.5% this year. (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Catherine Evans)
