The HSBC flash purchasing managers' index rose to 51.9 in January, the highest since January 2011 and above the 50-point level that shows accelerating growth in the manufacturing sector from the previous month.
HSBC said the sub-indices for output, new orders and employment that account for three quarters of the flash PMI all improved in January to hover above 50.
The output index climbed to 22-month highs while the employment sub-index was at its highest since May 2011.
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