Austria Manufacturing PMI Dips in April

2026-04-28 08:16 By Mariene Camarillo 1 min. read

The UniCredit Bank Austria Manufacturing PMI fell to 51.2 in April 2026 from 52.4 in March, signaling a loss of momentum as conditions in the sector softened.

The slowdown was driven by renewed declines in both output and new orders.

Production also slipped back into contraction territory, while export orders showed a marginal decline.

At the same time, cost pressures intensified further, with input price inflation rising to its highest level since September 2022, while output prices increased at one of the strongest rates in recent years.

Supply chains also came under strain, as delivery times lengthened due to logistics disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.

Firms built up inventories for the first time in over three years, while purchasing growth slowed and employment declined more sharply due to excess capacity and cost-cutting pressures.

Looking ahead, business confidence weakened to a more than one-year low amid concerns over demand, costs, and uncertainty.



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Austria Manufacturing PMI Dips in April
The UniCredit Bank Austria Manufacturing PMI fell to 51.2 in April 2026 from 52.4 in March, signaling a loss of momentum as conditions in the sector softened. The slowdown was driven by renewed declines in both output and new orders. Production also slipped back into contraction territory, while export orders showed a marginal decline. At the same time, cost pressures intensified further, with input price inflation rising to its highest level since September 2022, while output prices increased at one of the strongest rates in recent years. Supply chains also came under strain, as delivery times lengthened due to logistics disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Firms built up inventories for the first time in over three years, while purchasing growth slowed and employment declined more sharply due to excess capacity and cost-cutting pressures. Looking ahead, business confidence weakened to a more than one-year low amid concerns over demand, costs, and uncertainty.
2026-04-28
Austrian Manufacturing PMI Highest Since 2022
The UniCredit Bank Austria Manufacturing PMI climbed to 52.4 in March 2026 from 49.4 in February, its highest since May 2022, signaling a return to expansion. The improvement was driven by stronger output and new orders, with demand rising for a second straight month at the fastest pace in nearly four years. Firms noted that some customers brought forward purchases and built buffer stocks amid supply disruption risks linked to the Middle East conflict. On the other hand, inflationary pressures intensified, with input costs posting a record increase and reaching their highest level since October 2022 amid surging energy, fuel, and transport prices. Firms raised output charges at the fastest pace in over three years. Employment continued to decline, though at a slower pace. Looking ahead, business confidence weakened to a six-month low amid concerns over future demand and rising prices, though sentiment remained positive overall.
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Austria Manufacturing PMI Hits 3-Month High
The UniCredit Bank Austria Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.4 in February 2026 from 47.2 in January, marking its highest level since November 2025, driven by the first growth in new work in nearly four years. Manufacturers recorded a renewed rise in new orders, helping to stabilize output even as overall production remained largely unchanged. Meanwhile, firms continued to cut employment and purchasing activity amid cost pressures, with input costs rising at the fastest pace in over three years and output prices increasing for the first time since April 2025. In addition, supplier lead times lengthened further due to material shortages and shipping delays. Looking ahead, sentiment was notably upbeat, with 12-month activity expectations at their highest since January 2022, reflecting optimism over market conditions and new product plans.
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