Faced with a challenging demand environment, operating conditions across the Spanish manufacturing sector worsened once again during August. Declines in output, new orders and purchasing activity were sustained and sharper in all three cases. Current demand weakness also placed downwards pressure on prices with both input costs and output charges continuing to fall. Nevertheless, business sentiment improved to a six-month high amid hopes for demand growth over the next year and, in preparation for such an eventuality, staffing numbers lifted for the first time in three months. The headline HCOB Spain Manufacturing ... (full story)