South Korea Manufacturing Expands for 3rd Month

2026-03-03 00:50 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The S&P Global South Korea Manufacturing PMI came in at 51.1 in February 2026, easing marginally from 51.2 in January but signaling a third straight month of expansion in factory activity.

Firms reported firmer output growth alongside a solid increase in new orders.

Manufacturers frequently cited a strengthening semiconductor industry, which lifted sales to both domestic and overseas clients and shaped purchasing activity during the month.

However, corporate restructuring efforts and the non-replacement of departing staff led to the sharpest contraction in employment since September 2020.

At the same time, companies indicated a continued and pronounced rise in operating costs, largely attributed to elevated raw material prices and exchange rate volatility.

Looking ahead, sentiment toward the year-ahead outlook remained positive midway through the first quarter, supported by the ramp-up in mass production of newly launched products and further gains in both domestic and external demand.



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South Korea Manufacturing Expands for 3rd Month
The S&P Global South Korea Manufacturing PMI came in at 51.1 in February 2026, easing marginally from 51.2 in January but signaling a third straight month of expansion in factory activity. Firms reported firmer output growth alongside a solid increase in new orders. Manufacturers frequently cited a strengthening semiconductor industry, which lifted sales to both domestic and overseas clients and shaped purchasing activity during the month. However, corporate restructuring efforts and the non-replacement of departing staff led to the sharpest contraction in employment since September 2020. At the same time, companies indicated a continued and pronounced rise in operating costs, largely attributed to elevated raw material prices and exchange rate volatility. Looking ahead, sentiment toward the year-ahead outlook remained positive midway through the first quarter, supported by the ramp-up in mass production of newly launched products and further gains in both domestic and external demand.
2026-03-03
South Korea Manufacturing PMI Hits 17-Month High
The S&P Global South Korea Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.2 in January 2026 from 50.1 in December, reaching its highest level since August 2024 as the health of the manufacturing sector strengthened. Three of the PMI’s five components contributed positively in January, including new orders, output and suppliers’ delivery times, while employment and stocks of purchases showed slight negative influences. Demand for South Korean goods picked up at the start of 2026, with Mainland China, North America and Europe all cited as sources of growth. The sustained increase in new orders supported renewed production growth in January, only the second gain in the past 11 months. The 12-month outlook also improved to the highest since May 2022 as manufacturers anticipated new product lines, diversification and expanded capacity to drive growth. Inflationary pressures, however, persisted, likely fueled by a weak exchange rate and higher metals prices.
2026-02-02
South Korea Manufacturing PMI Hits 3-Month High
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.
2026-01-02