المملكة المتحدة مؤشر مديري المشتريات المركب

The S&P Global UK Composite PMI edged down to 52.9 in March 2024 from 53 in February and just below the expectations of 53.1. Still, it was the fifth month of expansion in the country's private sector thanks to a solid rate of output increase. Service sector growth was quicker than that seen in the manufacturing sector, despite losing momentum in March. New business rose for the fourth consecutive period, while export sales went up for the first time since May 2023. Despite a sustained rebound in business activity and incoming new work, employment stagnated, with the firms citing cost pressures, natural difficulties retaining existing staff and finding suitable candidates to fill vacancies. On prices, input inflation stayed elevated due to higher salaries, freight costs and tight supply after Red Sea shipping disruptions. Meanwhile, output inflation came its highest since July 2023. Overall, business expectations for the year ahead remained reassuringly lofty by recent standards.