Israel PMI edges up to 50.9 in September

That is compared to 50.6 points in August, signaling that manufacturing expanded for a second straight month after declining for the prior three months
 
According to data released last week by Bank Hapoalim and the Israeli Purchasing Managers' Association, Israel's purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose by 0.3% to 50.9 points in September, up from 50.6 in August, signaling that manufacturing expanded for a second straight month after declining for the prior three months.
 
Bank Hapoalim noted that although September was the second month that the PMI index was over 50, it still remains close to the level that separates economic expansion from contraction.      
 
Bank Hapoalim and the Israel Purchasing and Logistics Managers Association noted that in the last month there was a sharp drop in export demand, which was offset by a rise in domestic demand.
 
The export component fell 13.4 points and again points to contraction, In contrast, domestic demand rose 10.8 points and points to economic expansion, after four months of contraction. The employment component rose by 6 points and has been the most stable component of the index in recent months. The item has indicated expansion for the past 14 months.