United Kingdom: Composite PMI improves in November
The S&P Global/CIPS Flash Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) came in at 50.1 in November, up from October’s 48.7. As such, the index rose above the 50.0 no-change threshold, signaling an improvement in private sector operating conditions from the previous month.
Meanwhile, the Manufacturing PMI stood at 46.7 in November, up from October’s 44.8. Lastly, the Services PMI rose to 50.5 in November (October: 49.5).
Business activity in the services sector returned to expansion in November, while manufacturing production fell at a softer pace. That said, total new orders and exports continued to fall, while price pressures intensified and employment was broadly stable.
Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said:
“Prominently cited areas of strength were corporate budgets for technology investment and general spending on essential business services. Discretionary household spending remained a weak link, as many private sector businesses noted low consumer confidence and cost-of-living pressures. Meanwhile, a number of firms reported falling demand due to construction sector cutbacks and post-pandemic customer destocking was still a headwind for the manufacturing sector.”