Manufacturing activity slowed to an eight-month low in October as demand for certain types of products faded, hiring activity eased, cost pressures intensified and business confidence hit a five month low, a survey showed on Wednesday. The 50-point mark separates expansion from contraction and the survey is compiled from responses from questionnaires sent to 400 manufacturers. The manufacturing sector has recovered strongly after the crushing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and has been posting robust growth on the back of strong domestic demand.