JOHANNESBURG--November 6, 2012--Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--At the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2012, the Russian Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showed a continued strengthening of business conditions, as new orders and output both increased at the fastest rates in more than 18 months. But this upbeat message was tempered by survey findings that showed a dip in export demand and only a marginal gain in manufacturing employment. Inflationary pressures eased during the month and remained much weaker than the long-run survey trend.