The core sector and PMI numbers announced for the months of March 2017 and April 2017 respectively have some key positive takeaways. The core sector is an aggregate of 8 core sectors that are fundamental to the Indian economy. These 8 sectors constituting the core sector are important because they account for nearly 38% of the overall IIP and hence have long term repercussions for corporate profit growth as well as for the overall GDP growth. The Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) is announced separately for manufacturing and for services. The PMI Manufacturing for March sustained at the level of 52.5 for the month of April 2017; almost at the same level as in March.
Interpreting the Core Sector growth number