UK Manufacturing PMI Rises to 52.8 in October 2026, a Five-Month High, as Input Costs Climb
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.8 in October 2026 from 51.9 in September, a five-month high, with output growing at its fastest pace in 25 months. Input prices rose at one of the sharpest rates in four years.
By Entrepreneur Group · Published
UK factories grew faster in October 2026. The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.8, up from 51.9 in September and the highest reading in five months, according to final figures published on 2 November. Output grew at its fastest pace in 25 months, but input prices rose at one of the sharpest rates in four years.
A PMI reading above 50 means activity is growing, so October marks a further step up for a sector that has been expanding through the summer. The survey data were collected between 12 and 27 October, before the Autumn Budget on 28 October.
What the survey found
S&P Global's release and reporting by The Manufacturer set out the main movements in October:
- Output rose for a seventh month in a row, at the fastest rate in 25 months.
- New orders grew at their fastest pace since July, with demand up at home and overseas.
- Export orders rose for a tenth consecutive month. Firms reported growth in sales to Brazil, mainland China, the EU, the Middle East and the US.
- Employment was unchanged, ending a six-month run of job creation.
- Business confidence rose to an eight-month high.
All three main product groups grew. Investment goods producers saw the strongest rise in output and intermediate goods producers the weakest.
Costs are the main pressure
The less welcome part of the survey is costs. Input prices have now risen for 34 months in a row, and the rate of increase in October was among the sharpest in four years, beaten only by March to June this year. Factories passed some of this on, with selling prices rising at the quickest pace in three months.
According to The Manufacturer, firms reported higher prices for energy, fuels, transport, electronics, chemicals and metals. Supply chains were also under strain: supplier delivery times lengthened to one of the greatest extents in four years, with firms citing shipping rerouting, port congestion and material shortages.
Rob Dobson, Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: "UK manufacturing showed resilience in the lead up to the Autumn Budget." He added that input prices "rose to one of the greatest extents in the past four years in October", which he said "will further shorten the odds of interest rate hikes to come from the Bank of England."
Why the interest rate link matters
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee is due to announce its next decision, alongside the November Monetary Policy Report, on Thursday 5 November, according to the Bank's publication calendar. At the previous decision in September, the committee held Bank Rate at 3.75%, as we reported in our coverage of the September Bank Rate decision.
Mr Dobson's comment is a view on how the cost pressures in the survey may affect the Bank's thinking. It is not a forecast from the Bank itself, and the decision will take account of far more than one survey.
For comparison, the eurozone manufacturing PMI was 52.7 in October, down slightly from 52.9, so UK factories are now growing at a similar pace to their European neighbours.
What it means for founders
This section is editorial guidance. If you run a manufacturing business or rely on UK-made components, October's survey points to two things to plan for. Demand looks firmer, including from export markets, but suppliers are taking longer to deliver and charging more. It may be worth checking lead times with key suppliers, reviewing contracts that fix your selling prices for long periods, and keeping an eye on the Bank of England's decision on 5 November if you have variable-rate borrowing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK manufacturing PMI for October 2026?
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI was 52.8 in October 2026, up from 51.9 in September and a five-month high. A reading above 50 indicates growth.
Are UK manufacturers raising prices?
Yes. Selling prices rose at the fastest rate in three months in October 2026, while input costs rose for a 34th consecutive month at one of the sharpest rates in four years.
Why are UK manufacturers' costs rising?
Firms in the October 2026 survey reported higher prices for energy, fuels, transport, electronics, chemicals and metals, along with longer supplier delivery times caused by shipping rerouting, port congestion and material shortages.
Sources
- S&P Global: S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI, October 2026 (2 November 2026) (reviewed 3 November 2026)
- The Manufacturer: UK Manufacturing PMI, industry growth accelerates in October but cost pressures mount (3 November 2026) (reviewed 3 November 2026)
- Bank of England: Latest and upcoming publications (reviewed 3 November 2026)