UK PMIs: Manufacturing activity soars to decade high in March April 1, 2021 UK manufacturing activity grew sharply in March as business optimism hit a seven-year high and vaccine rollouts buoyed the industry, according to new data. The IHS Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 58.9 per cent last month, marking the highest reading in just over a decade. The index leaped from last month’s 55.1 [...]
Concerns over prolonged restrictions as looming third Covid wave overshadows upbeat PMI data March 24, 2021 Mounting concerns about a third wave of Covid-19 cases across the UK and Europe are adding to expectations that economies may reopen later than initially predicted. The shift in market sentiment is weighing on stocks as they are extending losses with covid concerns even overshadowing today’s upbeat PMI data. “Fears over the impact of tighter [...]
UK PMIs: Construction activity bounces back as paused projects get green light March 4, 2021 UK construction activity bounced back in February as businesses gave the go ahead to projects that had been forced to be suspended due to the pandemic. The IHS Markit/Cips purchasing managers (PMI) index for construction scored 53.2 in February, with any score above the 50-mark indicating growth. That’s markedly ahead of analyst expectations of a score of [...]
UK PMIs: Manufacturing activity creeps higher amid Covid restrictions March 1, 2021 UK manufacturing activity climbed back to its highest levels since the latest lockdown began in February, new figures have shown. The IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 55.1 last month, up from 54.1 in January. Any reading above 50 designates growth. However, a combination of supply chain disruption as a result of the Uk’s [...]
UK PMIs: UK firms fare less badly than expected February 19, 2021 UK firms had a more positive February than anticipated so far, with firms eyeing growth prospects later in the year as the vaccine roll-out continues. The IHS Markit/CIPS purchasing managers index (PMI) jumped to 49.8 in February from 41.2 in January, a far swifter improvement than what was originally feared. The index indicated some stabilisation [...]
Before the Bell: All eyes are on UK retail sales and PMI numbers today February 19, 2021 Sentiment in stocks this week has been slowly eroded as the bullish mood that circulated on Monday has since turned a little bearish. At the start of the week, the outlook was upbeat on account of optimism connected to the vaccine rollout. The UK confirmed that it was on track with its vaccination distribution scheme [...]
ONS: Pandemic impact cuts through all major sectors February 12, 2021 The ONS published sector figures for services, trade, construction and production output this morning. Services The Index of Services grew by 1.7 per cent between November and December last year. The largest contribution to monthly growth was accommodation and food service activities, rising by more than 25 per cent. In December, the Index of Services [...]
The Week Ahead: Look out for GDP data, Ocado, AstraZ, Twitter and Ted Baker February 8, 2021 Start your week informed: here are the announcements and results to look out for this week. UK GDP: A double dip recession is looming After a fairly decent third quarter, and an expansion of 16 per cent, the UK economy has had a much more troubled fourth quarter, with the likelihood that we may well [...]
UK PMIs: Construction activity contracts for the first time since May February 4, 2021 Construction output declined for the first time in eight months in January as lockdown measures and near-term economic concerns led to hesitancy among clients. The IHS Markit/Cips purchasing managers (PMI) index for construction scored 49.2 in January, with any score below the 50-mark indicating contraction. The reading was a sharp drop from December, when a score of [...]
UK PMIs: Services activity plunges to lowest level since May February 3, 2021 UK services activity fell to its lowest levels since last May as stricter coronavirus lockdowns battered the country’s businesses. The IHS Markit/Cips purchasing managers (PMI) index for services registered 39.4 in January, with any score below the 50 mark indicating contraction. That’s more than a 10 point drop from last month’s reading, one of the biggest falls [...]