UK Manufacturing Growth Eases to 4-Month Low

2026-08-03 09:03 By Agna Gabriel 1 min. read

The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI eased to 51.9 in July 2026, a four-month low, from 52.5 in June and below the preliminary estimate of 52.8.

Despite the decline, the index remained above the 50 mark for a ninth consecutive month, signaling continued expansion in the sector.

Manufacturing output rose for a fourth straight month, accelerating to its fastest pace in nearly two years.

New orders increased for an eighth consecutive month, while export sales grew for a seventh month.

However, business optimism slipped to a three-month low as firms remained cautious about global trade tensions, tax changes, and regulatory uncertainty.

Employment continued to rise but at the slowest pace of the current recovery, reflecting ongoing caution over hiring.

Meanwhile, input cost and output price inflation eased further as supply chain pressures moderated, while purchasing activity and inventories declined amid softer demand for inputs and improved supplier delivery times.



News Stream
UK Manufacturing Growth Eases to 4-Month Low
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI eased to 51.9 in July 2026, a four-month low, from 52.5 in June and below the preliminary estimate of 52.8. Despite the decline, the index remained above the 50 mark for a ninth consecutive month, signaling continued expansion in the sector. Manufacturing output rose for a fourth straight month, accelerating to its fastest pace in nearly two years. New orders increased for an eighth consecutive month, while export sales grew for a seventh month. However, business optimism slipped to a three-month low as firms remained cautious about global trade tensions, tax changes, and regulatory uncertainty. Employment continued to rise but at the slowest pace of the current recovery, reflecting ongoing caution over hiring. Meanwhile, input cost and output price inflation eased further as supply chain pressures moderated, while purchasing activity and inventories declined amid softer demand for inputs and improved supplier delivery times.
2026-08-03
UK Factory Conditions Improve in July
The S&P Global Flash UK Manufacturing PMI increased to 52.8 in July 2026 from 52.5 in June, beating forecasts of 52. Goods producers recorded an expansion of production levels for the fourth month in a row in July. The rate of growth accelerated to its strongest since September 2024, attributed to generally improving market conditions and a subsequent strengthening of new order intakes. Also, manufacturers indicated a rise in unfinished work for the first time since April 2022 and there was a marginal increase in staffing levels. At the same time, softer cost pressures were observed. Some manufacturers noted instances of lower raw material prices and oil-related surcharges (especially for plastics). Manufacturers indicated the least marked downturn in supplier performance since February, despite many firms noting longer international shipping times.
2026-07-24
UK Manufacturing Growth Slows More than Expected
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI posted 52.5 in June, down from May's four-year high of 53.9 and the earlier flash estimate of 53.1. Factory production accelerated to a 21-month high, driven by robust domestic sales and export gains from China, the US, and the EU, though growth opportunities in the Middle East stalled due to regional conflict. However, new order inflows decelerated to their weakest pace since December 2025. Employment rose modestly for a third month as rising input costs and market uncertainty forced some firms to freeze headcounts. Meanwhile, severe global shipping delays and material shortages substantially lengthened supplier delivery times and drove up input prices, prompting manufacturers to raise output charges at a pace near May's four-year high. Looking ahead, business confidence remained tepid, with 48% of firms anticipating growth from new tech and AI against broader policy concerns.
2026-07-01