FOREX TradingCharts.com

Financial News: UK Manufacturing Downturn Deepens In March

UK Manufacturing Downturn Deepens In March

04/01/2025 - 09:49:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - UK manufacturing activity deteriorated at the fastest pace in seventeen months as the decline in output and new orders accelerated, final survey results from S&P Global showed on Tuesday.

The final manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index dropped to a 17-month low of 44.9 in March from 46.9 in February. The reading was marginally above the flash score of 44.6.

A score below 50.0 suggests contraction. Operating conditions have deteriorated in each of the past six months.

Manufacturing production declined for the fifth straight month and at the quickest pace since October 2023. The downturn was widespread, with contractions signaled across all sub-sector definitions and all size categories.

New order intakes fell to the greatest extent for over one-and-a-half years and at one of the quickest rates since the pandemic and lockdown affected months of 2020, the survey said.

British manufacturers faced a challenging trade climate due to escalating geopolitical tensions, low customer confidence, and a slump in the economy in both home and foreign markets.

New export business contracted at the fastest pace since August 2023 amid lower intakes of new export work, which were mainly linked to weaker demand from the US and Europe.

In March, UK manufacturers continued to exercise extreme caution, which resulted in reductions in hiring, stock holdings, and purchase activities.

On the price front, input price inflation eased slightly from February's 25-month high, while selling prices rose at the quickest pace since April 2023.

"The outlook is also darkening, with overall business optimism plunging to its lowest levels since late 2022," Rob Dobson, Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said.

"Fears about current and future performance put manufacturers on an increasingly cost-cautious footing, with employment, stock holdings, and purchasing all falling as companies looked to work leaner and protect cash flow, margins, and competitiveness."

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS


Slovenia Retail Sales Fall 2.0% In March (02 hr(s), 08 min(s), 46 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Retail trade turnover in Slovenia shrunk in March amid weaker demand for foods as well ...Full Story»

U.S. Consumer Confidence Slumps More Than Expected In April (02 hr(s), 15 min(s), 46 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Largely reflecting a significant deterioration by consumer expectations, the Conferenc ...Full Story»

Euro Area Inflation Expectations Highest Since 2024: ECB Survey (02 hr(s), 22 min(s), 46 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Eurozone consumers' inflation expectations for one year and three years ahead incr ...Full Story»

U.S. Job Openings Decrease More Than Expected In March (02 hr(s), 27 min(s), 46 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Labor Department released a report on Tuesday showing job openings in the U.S. fel ...Full Story»

Turkey Economic Confidence Weakens In April (02 hr(s), 31 min(s), 46 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Turkey's economic sentiment weakened in April to the lowest level in seven months, ...Full Story»

Swedish Economic Confidence Falls Slightly In April (03 hr(s), 37 min(s), 46 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Sweden's economic confidence decreased further in April to the lowest level in six ...Full Story»

Iceland Inflation Accelerates First Time In 9 Months (04 hr(s), 06 min(s), 46 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Consumer price inflation climbed in April for the first time in nine months, prelimina ...Full Story»

Eurozone Loans To Private Sector Rise Faster (04 hr(s), 21 min(s), 46 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Adjusted loans to the euro area private sector grew at a faster pace in March as lendi ...Full Story»

Search

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

Slovenia Retail Sales Fall 2.0% In March

04/29/2025 - 10:32 AM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - Retail trade turnover in Slovenia shrunk in March amid weaker demand for foods as well ...Full Story>>

U.S. Consumer Confidence Slumps More Than Expected In April

04/29/2025 - 10:25 AM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - Largely reflecting a significant deterioration by consumer expectations, the Conferenc ...Full Story>>

Euro Area Inflation Expectations Highest Since 2024: ECB Survey

04/29/2025 - 10:18 AM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - Eurozone consumers' inflation expectations for one year and three years ahead incr ...Full Story>>

U.S. Job Openings Decrease More Than Expected In March

04/29/2025 - 10:13 AM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - The Labor Department released a report on Tuesday showing job openings in the U.S. fel ...Full Story>>

Turkey Economic Confidence Weakens In April

04/29/2025 - 10:09 AM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - Turkey's economic sentiment weakened in April to the lowest level in seven months, ...Full Story>>

Do not sell my personal information

Copyright © 2025. All market data is provided by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided "as is" and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice. To see all exchange delays and terms of use, please see disclaimer.