Manufacturing conditions worsen as demand softens

Private survey finds producers paring jobs, cutting prices to retain orders from customers

Manufacturing activity has deteriorated to the lowest point in almost one year after an uptick in February, prompting market speculation that the government will inject further liquidity into the economy as soon as next month.

The flash manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index for March eased back into contraction, sliding to 49.2 from 50.7 in February, HSBC Holdings Plc and data service provider Markit Ltd said on Tuesday. That is the lowest level since April 2014.