UK July final manufacturing PMI 48.0 vs 48.2 prelim | investingLive

• Prior 47.7

Key findings:

• Employment falls at faster rate
• Input cost and selling price inflation hold broadly
  steady

Comment:

Rob Dobson, Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence

“The UK manufacturing sector is starting to send some
tentatively encouraging signals, with the downturn
moderating in July as factory output came close to
stabilising and future output expectations hit the highest
since February.

“However, it’s clear that there’s no assured path back to
strong growth. Clients in the home market often remain
unwilling to spend due to cost factors such as higher
minimum wages and employer NICs, while export markets
are being buffeted by geopolitical stresses and trade and
tariff uncertainties.

“The biggest concern remains the labour market, with
the rate of job cutting through much of 2025 among the
steepest since the pandemic year of 2020.
“With the Autumn budget only a few months away,
manufacturers will likely remain cautious and focussed
on stabilisation while waiting to see if future budget
announcements provide much needed support or further
challenges to overcome.”