South Korea Manufacturing PMI Hits 3-Month High

2026-01-02 00:36 By Chusnul Chotimah 1 min. read

The S&P Global South Korea Manufacturing PMI increased to 50.1 in December 2025, up from 49.4 in November.

It marked the first expansion in the sector in three months and the fastest pace since September, as new orders rose for the first time in three months and recorded their steepest increase since November 2024.

New export orders also returned to expansion territory for the first time since September, due to improved demand.

Employment rose, while purchasing activity climbed for the first time since September and at the fastest pace since August 2024.

Meanwhile, output continued to decline, albeit at a softer pace than in November.

On prices, input cost inflation accelerated to its highest level since July 2022, amid higher raw material prices and unfavourable exchange-rate fluctuations.

As a result, output cost inflation rose to a nine-month high.

Finally, sentiment strengthened to its highest level since May 2022, driven by hopes of higher sales, supported by new product launches.



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