UK PMI Manufacturing dropped from 60.4 to 60.1 in August, above expectation of 59.5. PMI Services dropped notably from 59.6 to 55.5, below expectation of 59.0. PMI Composite dropped from 59.2 to 55.3.
Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Markit, said: “Although the PMI indicates that the economy continues to expand at a pace slightly above the pre-pandemic average, there are clear signs of the recovery losing momentum in the third quarter after a buoyant second quarter… rising virus case numbers are deterring many forms of spending… Supplier delays have risen to a degree exceeded only once before… Prices have risen sharply again, albeit with the rate of inflation moving below July’s record high.
“More positively, business expectations for the year ahead perked up in August, encouraging a record jump in employment as furloughed workers were brought back to the workplace. However, demand and supply availability need to improve further for this rise in employment to be sustained in coming months”
