The S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Flash for the United Kingdom came in at 52.8 for October 2026, above the market forecast of 51.7. The figure was released at 08:30 GMT on 23 October 2026.
Compared with the previous period, when the reading was 51.9, the index rose. The PMI is a monthly survey of purchasing managers at manufacturing firms, and a reading above 50 generally indicates expansion in factory activity, while a reading below 50 indicates contraction.
What the figure measures
The flash estimate is an early reading based on a partial sample of survey responses, collected before the full data set is complete. Because it is published ahead of the final figure, it gives an early indication of conditions across the manufacturing sector.
The reading was above the forecast and higher than the previous period, which means the survey pointed to stronger factory conditions than economists had expected.
In markets the same day, the S&P 500 stood at 7,663.43 points at the close of 22 October 2026, down 1.21% from the previous close.
Related: German manufacturing PMI flash rises to 54.2 in October · UK Services PMI Flash Rises to 53.1 in October
Source: S&P Global | Data: S&P Dow Jones Indices
