There are few better ways to start the new year than posting strong results. So imagine the delight of Mexico’s new administration when a manufacturing index on Wednesday showed the best monthly result since records began in April 2011.

The so-called Purchasing Manufacturers’ Index (PMI), a survey among businesses of things like new orders, production and employment in the sector, rose to an all-time high of 57.1, notably above November’s 55.6 points.

Mexican manufacturers said they received the highest monthly increase in new orders since the index began, in a clear sign of increasing demand. Production also reached its highest point since the index began.

As if to reinforce the good news surrounding Mexico, the country’s stock market index hit an all-time high during morning trading on Wednesday – though brokers said that the increase was mainly the result of Tuesday’s “fiscal cliff” deal in the US.

The latest results from Mexico’s PMI suggest that increasing competitiveness in the manufacturing sector is for now, at least, compensating for the ongoing complicated global environment.

via Mexico manufacturing: chugging along | beyondbrics.