The SBI Monthly Composite Index, a leading indicator for manufacturing activity in Indian Economy, inched up from 46.8 in April 2015 to 53.8 in May 2015. However, the outlook is bearish.
"We believe that due to continued tepid credit growth and subdued commercial vehicle sales in recent period, a negative impact may precipitate in June/July 2015 IIP," SBI said adding that "this will subsequently reflect in our Composite Index values, going forward."
An index value of less than 42 means large decline, while value of 42 to 46 means (moderate decline), 46 to 50 (low decline), 50 to 52 (low growth), 52 to 55 (moderate growth) and above 55 high growth, SBI said.
"We are overtly concerned regarding the weak demand conditions that is refusing to pick up. Inflation numbers will continue to surprise on the downside, with retail inflation likely to be at sub 4 per cent within the next 2-3 months, and this will not be a result of only base effect, as widely believed," the report said.
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According to SBI, infra activities will start possibly from the second half of this year as the Government would be in a position to push the projects.
"With the Government doing its bit, it is imperative to improve sentiments further through another round of monetary easing," the report said.
The central bank has lowered its policy rate twice so far in 2015, but maintained a status quo in its last monetary policy review on April 7 on fears of unseasonal rains impacting food prices.
The SBI Composite Index rivals the existing data point from British lender HSBC. It has been developed on the basis of the bank's internal loan portfolio, which mirrors the credit demand in the country, and other data sets available in public domain.