Poland: Manufacturing PMI ticks up in April
In April, the manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), released by IHS Markit, ticked up 0.2 points to 53.9. It therefore remained comfortably above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction in the manufacturing sector, where it has now been for over three years—the longest expansion recorded since the survey began nearly two decades ago.
April’s uptick was the first of the year, climbing on a strong rise in output and continued employment gains. New orders grew at a solid pace. In turn, job creation was healthy despite slowing from a month earlier, helping to ease backlogs of work for the first time this year. Buying activity continued rising albeit more slowly, adding to supplier delivery times and existing pressure on supply chains. Moreover, buying and selling prices both rose, remaining well above their long-term averages. Meanwhile, firms moderated their expectations slightly but remained generally upbeat; new capacity and strong growth prospects kept them broadly optimistic.