UK Manufacturing PMI Rises to 52.0 in September as AI and Defense Spending Support Output
Updated
Updated · TradingView · Sep 23
UK Manufacturing PMI Rises to 52.0 in September as AI and Defense Spending Support Output
3 articles · Updated · TradingView · Sep 23
Summary
52.0 — the preliminary S&P Global UK manufacturing PMI rose from 51.7 in August and beat the 51.5 market forecast, signaling the sector stayed in expansion in September.
Output still grew at its slowest pace since the current expansion began in April, with AI investment and higher defense spending offsetting weak consumer demand.
New orders remained under pressure, and export orders slipped marginally in their first contraction since December 2025.
Employment increased for a sixth straight month as backlogs rose at the fastest pace since January 2022, while input-price inflation accelerated on higher fuel costs.
Business confidence climbed to its highest since February, supported by expectations for new projects and more investment in plant capacity.