LONDON, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Britain's seasonally adjusted manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to a 47-month high in April, but supply chain and price pressures continued to grow, data from S&P Global showed on Friday.
The PMI index stood at 53.7 in April, its best level since May 2022, and posted above its neutral 50.0 mark for six successive months, the data showed.
Specifically, output, new orders and employment all showed signs of improvement last month. However, input price inflation was also at near four-year high as supply chain pressures continued to build, with manufacturers reporting price rises for a wide range of inputs, including chemicals, electronics, energy, food, metals, plastics, pulp and timber, according to the data.
Average vendor performance deteriorated to the greatest extent in almost four years due to ongoing complications caused by the Middle East conflict and restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Shortages of freight capacity, port disruptions and customs delays were also mentioned by manufacturers, the data showed.
"The gain in production is partly the result of clients bringing forward purchases to mitigate expected price uplifts and supply disruptions. As this process unwinds later in the year, alongside declining business optimism, growth in the sector could cool while inflationary pressures remain on high heat," said Rob Dobson, director at S&P Global Market Intelligence. ■
