Financial News: UK Manufacturing Growth Hits 4-Year High

UK Manufacturing Growth Hits 4-Year High

06/01/2026 - 10:09:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - The UK manufacturing activity expanded at the quickest pace in four years despite facing inflationary and supply chain pressures, survey data from S&P Global showed Monday.

The final manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to a 48-month high of 53.9 in May from 53.7 in the previous month. The flash score was 53.7. The index had remained above the neutral 50.0 mark for the seventh straight month.

Output grew for the second successive month, led by expansions in the intermediate and investment goods industries. Nonetheless, the recent growth signals are momentary, as manufacturers noted that clients were front-loading purchases to mitigate expected price rises and supply chain disruption.

Higher demand from both domestic and foreign markets drove new orders to increase for the sixth straight month.

On the price front, input price inflation accelerated to a near-year high, led by higher costs for chemicals, electronics, energy, foodstuffs, fuels, plastics, metals, packaging, paper, and timber. As a result, selling prices rose at the steepest pace since July 2022.

The ongoing war in the Middle East fueled supply chain pressures, and increased delivery times were caused by shipping delays due to restrictions on passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Looking ahead, business confidence improved to a 3-month high as the majority of firms' optimism was boosted by stronger market demand, new product launches, company growth targets, hopes for improved geopolitical conditions, and rising export sales.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

Russia Central Bank Cuts Rate By 25 Bps (06 hr(s), 32 min(s), 39 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Bank of Russia reduced its benchmark interest rate by a quarter basis points on Fr ...Full Story»

Turkey Capacity Utilization Rises To 1-year High; Business Confidence Strengthens (07 hr(s), 45 min(s), 39 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Turkey's manufacturing capacity utilization rate increased further in June to the ...Full Story»

Slovenian Consumer Confidence Improves In May (08 hr(s), 17 min(s), 39 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Consumers in Slovenia remained less pessimistic in May, and the confidence strengthene ...Full Story»

Greece Current Account Gap Narrows In April (08 hr(s), 39 min(s), 39 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Greece's current account deficit decreased in April from a year ago, mainly due to ...Full Story»

Germany Producer Price Inflation Fastest In 3 Years (10 hr(s), 15 min(s), 39 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Germany's producer prices increased at the fastest pace in three years in May, Des ...Full Story»

UK Retail Sales Recover In May (10 hr(s), 26 min(s), 39 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - UK retail sales rebounded in May as promotions and the hot weather drove consumer spen ...Full Story»

Italy Construction Output Rises 0.3% (10 hr(s), 47 min(s), 39 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Italy's construction output increased for the second successive month in April, ac ...Full Story»

Poland Industrial Production Growth Improves To 4.1% (11 hr(s), 24 min(s), 39 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Poland's industrial output growth rebounded unexpectedly in May, data from Statist ...Full Story»