INSTANT VIEW 1-Czech Aug PMI nears break even point in August

                                
 ** This data is protected by copyright - please see
                                
 <PMI/DISCLAIMER>. For further information on changes to
                                
 data provision, please see footnote to this news story ***
                                
 
                                
 PRAGUE, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The Czech Purchasing Managers'
Index (PMI) continued to show the country's severe manufacturing
contraction has passed its worst phase mid-way through the third
quarter, Markit Economics said on Tuesday.
                                
 Overall manufacturing PMI inched up to 47.1 from 43.5 in
July staying for the 14th straight month below the neutral 50
mark that marks the border between a rise and a fall.
                                
 But the industrial sector, the backbone of the export-heavy
Czech economy, cleared that hurdle for the first time since June
2008, rising to 51.5, from 45.8 the previous month.
                                
 PMI has improved every month since January's record low of
31.5, signalling that the worst phase of the downturn has
passed. Moreover, the latest gain in the headline index was the
second-steepest in over eight years of data collection.
                                
 The rise in industry was the eigth in a row since a December
record low and the biggest points gain in the series to date.
                                
 The Czech economy shrank by 4.9 percent year on year in the
second quarter, but grew 0.3 percent from the previous three
months, according to an official flash estimate last month.
                                
 Preliminary data for July industrial output showed a
higher-than-expected 18.4 percent year-on-year drop on last
Friday, and new orders fell by 22.7 percent.
                                
 The August PMI data signalled a rise in new orders received
by Czech manufacturers, the first increase since last summer.
                                
 Higher receipts of new work compared to one month earlier
were primarily attributed by survey respondents to rising
customer numbers and an improvement in market demand. 
                                
 That said, the rate of expansion signalled was only marginal
and, as with production, was well below the long-run average for
the series, Markit said.
                                
 Czech manufacturers continued to cut jobs in August, despite
the new orders. Employment remained at a level indicative of a
marked rate of job shedding in the sector, with over one-quarter
of companies reporting reduced workforces. However, the
reduction in headcounts in August was the least severe than in
the preceding nine months.
                                
 Poland's purchasing managers' index rose in August to a
15-month high, but was still stuck below the breakeven 50 level
dividing contraction from growth. [ID:nLV267426]

****************************************************************
KEY POINTS:
                                
                               08/09      07/09      08/08
Purchasing Managers' Index        47.1       43.5       47.3
Output                            51.5       45.8       45.7
(For table, double click on......................[nPRA004727]
- A figure above 50 indicates expansion on the previous month
while a number below 50 signals contraction.

                                
 COMMENTARY:
                                
 JULIET SAMPSON, CHIEF ECONOMIST for EMERGING EUROPE at HSBC
                                
 "The sharp rise in the August PMI provides a building sign
of recovery in Czech Republic. While the composite index remains
below the key 50 level, the manufacturing output index has moved
into positive territory, heralding the likelihood of growth in
the sector before long." 
                                
 "A noticeable improvement in new export orders points to
recovery in Czech Republic's key Western European export markets
and a possible move into positive levels by September. However,
continued weakness in the employment index points to a likely
deterioration in consumption in the months ahead and possibly a
weak recovery in economic activity."
 
 BACKGROUND:
- Report on last Czech c.bank rate decision.......[ID:nL6146715]
                                
 [ID:nL655323] [ID:nPRG001524] [ID:nL6221606] [ID:nPRA004692]
- June foreign trade figures......................[ID:nL6640358]
- July industrial output..........................[ID:nLS137302]
                                
                                               [ID:nLS601474]
- Second-quarter GDP data........................ [ID:nLE643038]
 
 LINKS:
- For LIVE Czech economic data releases, click on       <ECONCZ>
- Instant Views on other Czech data                 [CZ/INSTANT]
- Overview of Czech macroeconomic indicators            [CZ/ECI]
- Key data releases in central Europe    [CEE-CONVERGENCE-WATCH]
- For Czech money markets data click on                <CZKVIEW>
- Czech money guide                                      <CZK/1>
- Czech benchmark state bond prices                   <0#CZBMK=>
- Czech forward money market rates                      <CZKFRA>

                                
 ** Index copyright and database rights owned by Markit:
unlicensed copying strictly prohibited ** 
                                
 With immediate effect detailed PMI data are only available
under licence from Markit and customers need to apply to Markit
for a licence. For further information please phone Markit on ++
44 20 7260 2454
                                
 
 (Reporting by Mirka Krufova)