India factory growth nudges up in April but stays near four year low

Exports picked up even as costs climbed fast

India’s manufacturing growth inched higher in April, with the PMI rising to 54.7, but it hovered near a four-year low. Weak domestic demand and war-driven increases in input costs kept momentum muted. Still, export orders strengthened, firms added jobs, and sentiment improved, hinting that demand may shift beyond home markets.