UK PMI Manufacturing was finalized at 47.3 in August, down sharply from July’s 52.1. That’s also the lowest level in 27 months. S&P Global added that output, new business and new export orders contracted sharply. Still elevated input cost and selling price inflation eased further.
Rob Dobson, Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “August saw the UK manufacturing sector suffer its steepest downturn since the first COVID-19 lockdown. Output and new orders contracted at the fastest rates since May 2020, as inflows of work from both domestic and export markets slumped sharply lower. There were reports of clients postponing, rescheduling or cancelling agreements due to increased economic uncertainties, recession warnings, rising prices and component shortages, while port congestion and Brexit complications constrained export opportunities.”