
India’s Monetary and Fiscal Policy | 101
production and slower growth in finished steel consumption in June. Import of
capital goods—a key indicator of investment activity – contracted in June. The
services PMI expanded to 53.8 in July from 49.6 in June on increase in new business
activity, new export orders and employment.
Retail inflation, measured by year-on-year change in the CPI, edged up
to 3.2% in June from 3.0% in April-May, driven by food inflation, even as fuel
inflation and CPI inflation excluding food and fuel moderated.
Merchandise exports contracted in June 2019, weighed down by the subdued
performance of gems and jewelry, petroleum products, ...