BW Businessworld India's January Factory Activity Hit Three-Month High, Job Cuts Subside Sub indexes tracking new orders and output rose to their highest since October, indicating strong growth in demand. Photo Credit : India's factory activity expanded at its strongest pace in three months in January, fuelled by a continued recovery in demand and output, according to a private survey which also showed firms cut jobs at the slowest pace in 10 months. The Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, compiled by IHS Markit, rose to 57.7 in January from December's 56.4, above the 50-level separating growth from contraction for the sixth straight month. Sub indexes tracking new orders and output rose to their highest since October, indicating strong growth in demand.