POLL-Czech manufacturing PMI posts fastest growth in 2-1/2 yrs

    Growth in Czech manufacturing 
activity accelerated at the start of 2007 to the second-highest 
level on the Purchasing Managers' Index survey to date.  
    The index, compiled by ABN AMRO and NTC, rose for the third 
consecutive month in January to 57.6, from 56.4 the previous 
month. 
    The rates of growth of output and new orders both climbed 
while manufacturing employment growth hit a new high, the 
survey, released on Thursday, showed. 
    "That was the second-highest reading since data were first 
collected in July 2001 and signalled the strongest overall 
growth of the sector since August 2004 (when the headline index 
registered 57.7)," the survey said. 
    The five components of the PMI -- output, new orders, 
employment, suppliers' delivery times, and stocks of purchases 
-- all exerted stronger positive effects on the headline index 
during the month according to the survey, compiled from the 
survey of over 300 firms. 
    Manufacturing accounts for more than one-third of Czech 
economic activity, with latest data indicating that its growth 
has gradually slowed to around 5 percent from a peak of 6.7 
percent in late 2005. 
   
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 ((Writing by Mirka Krufova; Editing by Mike Peacock; 
Reuters Messaging: rm://marek.petrus.reuters.com@reuters.net; 
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  Keywords: MANUFACTURING PMI/CZECH 
    

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]