The seasonally-adjusted S&P Global UK manufacturing PMI fell to a five-month low of 46.2 in September, down from 47 in August, to remain below the neutral 50 mark for the twelfth consecutive month.
Four of the five PMI components—output, new orders, employment and stocks of purchases—were at levels consistent with a worsening of operating conditions.
Manufacturing production fell for the eleventh successive month in the month, with the rate of contraction the fastest since March, a release from S&P Global Ratings said.
The effects of the downturn were widespread, with the consumer, intermediate and investment goods sectors all seeing output fall at solid rates.
Manufacturers reported that production had been scaled back in response to weaker intakes of new business, with demand from both domestic and export markets weak.
New order intakes subsequently fell for the twelfth consecutive month, and to one of the greatest extents during the past two years.
The worsening of current market conditions was linked to subdued client confidence, US tariff uncertainty and the consequences of a high cost backdrop (especially for energy and staff).
September saw a further marked decrease in new export business. New orders from overseas clients fell at one of the quickest rates in over two years. There were reports of weaker order intakes from the United States, the European Union, the Middle East and Asia.
ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)
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