ব্যঙ্গাত্মক বর্ণনা এবং ফরেক্সের প্রবেশদ্বার বিন্যাস

UK PMI rises to 53.9 as manufacturing strength offsets slower services growth

The United Kingdom private sector recorded its strongest growth in 22 months in February, preliminary data from S&P Global shows. The composite PMI rose to 53.9 points from 53.7 points in January. Expansion was driven by the manufacturing sector, where the output index reached a 17‑month high of 53.6 points, while services activity cooled slightly to a two‑month low of 53.9 points.

The acceleration was supported by an influx of new orders, which expanded at the fastest pace since September 2024. The main impulse came from external demand. Thus, manufacturers' export sales jumped to their highest level in four and a half years on orders from the United States, Europe, and Asia. The services sector delivered more modest results in foreign markets due to weak demand from the European Union.

Despite the manufacturing boom, the labor market continued to contract. Employment fell for the 17th consecutive month, particularly in the services sector, where firms are cutting staff amid high costs and margin pressure. Many companies are favoring investment in technology over hiring in an effort to sustain growth without expanding payrolls. At the same time, backlogs of work have been declining since May 2023, suggesting the absence of excess capacity pressure.

Inflationary signals remain mixed. Although input cost inflation moderated to a three‑month low, selling prices across the private sector rose at the fastest pace since April 2025. Higher wage bills in services and rising raw material costs, notably copper and other metals for manufacturers, were the principal contributors.

Business expectations for the year ahead remain consistently positive. Manufacturers’ optimism about prospects reached a 1.5‑year high on plans for international expansion. Chris Williamson, chief economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, estimated that current PMI readings are consistent with UK GDP growth of just over 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, provided the momentum continues into March.

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