SINGAPORE -- Singapore’s electronics shipments fell 21.8% year-over-year earlier in May, to $2.7 billion.

It was the 28th consecutive monthly drop for the sector. Shipments were down 25.6% in April.

However, according to the nation's purchasing managers’ index, manufacturing grew in May for the first time in nine months. Overall, Singapore’s exports, while still falling, narrowed their year-over-year losses in May, suggesting to some analysts that the recession is easing.