TOP NEWS: UK manufacturing sector returns to growth in May

(Alliance News) - The UK manufacturing sector returned to growth in May, flash purchasing ...

Alliance News 23 May, 2024 | 8:52AM
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(Alliance News) - The UK manufacturing sector returned to growth in May, flash purchasing managers' index survey results showed on Thursday.

The headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global flash UK PMI composite output index - including both services and manufacturing - fell to 52.8 points in May from 54.1 in April. This was behind market consensus, with FXStreet citing a forecast of 54 points.

The reading above 50 points indicates growth but also marks a two-month low.

The services PMI business activity index fell to 52.9 points from 55.0.

More positively, the manufacturing PMI rose to 51.3 points from 49.1. This signals a return to growth and a 22-month high.

Looking ahead, S&P said business activity forecasts for the next 12 months remained strong in May.

"The flash PMI survey data for May signalled a further expansion of UK business activity, suggesting the economy continues to recover from the mild recession seen late last year. The survey data are consistent with GDP rising by around 0.3% in the second quarter, with an encouraging revival of manufacturing accompanied by sustained, but slower, service sector growth," said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

"The survey also brings welcome news of a cooling in service sector inflation, which is needed to open the door for the Bank of England to start cutting interest rates."

The composite PMI is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to survey panels of around 650 manufacturers and 650 service providers in the UK. Responses were collected between May 9 and 21.

By Sophie Rose, Alliance News senior reporter

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