By Andrey Ostroukh

MOSCOW--Activity in Russia's manufacturing sector was almost unchanged in November, though new orders grew at their fastest pace for a year, a Markit survey of purchasing managers showed Tuesday.

The headline Purchasing Managers' Index for the manufacturing sector slipped slightly to 50.1 in November from 50.2 in October, Markit said, remaining above the 50 reading that separates growth from decline.

"Expansions in output and new orders helped to just keep the headline figure in growth territory this month, where the sharpest rises in one year were reported," said Markit economist Samuel Agass in the report.

Still, lower employment and declining stocks of purchases have offset improvements in the sector. Russian manufacturers reported another increase in input prices in November, which prompted the sector to raise tariffs.

The PMI data matches the broader trend in the economy, which has started bottoming out after its first recession since 2009. Inflation, hovering close to 15% in annual terms, is also set to slow to 12%-13% by the end of the year, according to the central bank.

"Overall, the sector appears to be holding its ground, at least during the fourth quarter so far, after enduring a tough time throughout the majority of 2015," Mr. Agass from Markit said.

-Write to Andrey Ostroukh at andrey.ostroukh@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 01, 2015 03:08 ET (08:08 GMT)

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