Arabia Saudita - PMI manufacturero

The IHS Markit Saudi Arabia PMI increased to 58.3 in November 2019, the highest since August 2015, from 57.8 in the prior month. New export orders increased faster, new orders expanded the most since April 2015 and output grew further. Meanwhile, employment went up marginally and unchanged from October's increase, amid a lack of pressure on business capacity, as referenced by work outstanding decreasing for the second time in the past four months. At the same time, growth in buying levels eased to the slowest in three months. On the price front, selling prices rose for the third straight month, though the rise was marginal. Overall input prices continued to increase, but the rate of inflation eased for the second month running and was subdued by historical standards. Finally, sentiment was at the highest since April.

The IHS Markit Saudi Arabia PMI increased to 57.8 in October 2019, the highest since August 2015, from 57.3 in the prior month. Output and new order growth quickened , with the latter rising at the sharpest rate since June. Also, October also saw a sharp increase in purchasing activity as firms looked to bring their buying levels into line with higher output requirements and build up inventories. At the same time, export sales rose further, though at a slower rate. Also, employment growth slowed as firms remained reluctant to take on additional staff. On the price front, overall operating expenses were little changed, as a slight rise in purchasing costs was offset by a marginal fall in average staff pay. Meantime, output prices fall for second time in the past five months. Lastly, sentiment edged up, amid forecasts of greater sales.

The IHS Markit Saudi Arabia PMI increased to a three-month high of 57.3 in September 2019 from 57.0 in a month earlier. output expanded at the fastest pace since December 2017, enabling firms to take on additional staff at the most marked rate in 18 months. Also, new export order growth accelerated solidly, amid overall improvement in foreign demand conditions, while input buying rose the most in four months. Meanwhile, overseas sales expanded at the slowest rate in nine months, but the rate of expansion still sharp. In terms of prices, input cost inflation was the sharpest in one year, reflecting greater staffing and purchasing costs. Finally, confidence eased slightly, but remained strongly optimistic. "October data will provide the first opportunity to gauge the impact of the recent attacks on the critical oil processing facilities in Abaqaiq and Khurais on the wider economy," said Amritpal Virdee, economist at IHS Markit.

The IHS Markit Saudi Arabia PMI rose to 57.7 in August 2019 from a five-month low of 56.6 in a month earlier. Stronger domestic demand drove a faster upturn in output, which recovered from July's five-month low, amid a slight quickening of overall new order growth. Exports also continued to grow solidly, though at a slower pace than in July. Also, employment rose only marginally and at the softest rate since April. Meantime, purchasing activity accelerated as firms sought to bring their buying levels in line with higher output requirements and build up inventories Regarding prices, operating expenses fell for the fourth time in the past eight months, amid decreases in both average staff pay and purchasing costs. However, output prices were raised in order to account for improvements in product quality. Finally, sentiment hit its highest in three months, on hopes of greater demand in the year ahead.

The IHS Markit Saudi Arabia PMI fell to a five-month low of 56.6 in July 2019 from 57.4 in the previous month. Output growth eased from May’s recent peak to the weakest since February, new orders expanded the least in six months, and growth in buying levels eased for the second month in a row. At the same time, employment rose marginally, while backlogs of works were unchanged following rises in the previous 14 months. Meanwhile, export sales rose for the fifth straight month and at the steepest rate since February 2017. In terms of prices, data continued to signal a lack of inflationary pressures, with firms keeping charges unchanged amid little movement in overall costs and strong competition. Finally, sentiment weakened for the third month running to the lowest since August 2018.

The Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia PMI edged up to 57.4 in June 2019, the highest reading since November 2017, from 57.3 in a month earlier. New orders advanced at the fastest pace in three months, and export sales rose for the fourth month running. At the same time, output expanded the least in three months, employment growth slowed from May’s four-month high and buying levels eased from the previous month's 17-month high. Meantime, average cost burdens went up for the second month in a row, despite the rate of inflation eased from May. Finally, sentiment hit its lowest in ten months, possibly reflecting heightened geopolitical tension in the region.