TAIPEI, Nov. 1 -- Taiwan's purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector dipped two points from September to 54.5 in October as the growth of new orders lost momentum, data showed on Tuesday.

It is the eighth consecutive month that the manufacturing sector has seen expansion, according to the the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER). A PMI above 50 indicates expansion while figures under 50 reflect contraction.

The sub-index for new orders fell 4.3 points to 55, and that for production lost 4.2 points to 55.7.

The sub-index for employment was down 0.6 point to 56.3. The sub-index for inventories fell from a 26-month high of 54 to 52.7.

Of six manufacturing categories, five saw expansion while power and machinery manufacturing posted numbers indicating contraction.