Sterling soars as UK manufacturing sector bounces back

The Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index said companies were taking “a business as usual” approach, as activity swung to a 10-month high in August following a slump in the immediate aftermath of the EU referendum result.

The closely watched survey said output hit 53.3 last month, up from a revised reading of 48.3 in July and above economists’ expectations of 49.

A reading above 50 indicates growth.

The update caused sterling to jump 0.8% against the US dollar, breaking through the 1.32 barrier to reach 1.324 dollars. The pound was also up 0.9% against the euro at 1.188 euros.

The PMI survey in July suggested the manufacturing sector was in the doldrums following Britain’s vote to leave the European Union, with Brexit uncertainty hampering growth and forcing the industry to a 41-month low.

But manufacturing activity rallied in August, matching the highest month-on-month increase since the survey began nearly 25 years ago.

The resurgence was driven by a rebound in manufacturing output and incoming orders, with new business seeing an upturn in the UK and abroad.

The slump in sterling to 31-year lows following the EU referendum result has made British products cheaper, boosting export orders to a 26-month high, with increased demand from the US, Europe, China, south-east Asia, the Middle East and Norway.

However, the fall in the value of the pound proved a double-edged sword, as input price inflation rocketed to a five-year high, with 44% of companies reporting a jump in purchasing costs.

There was also a brighter picture for manufacturing recruitment as employment grew for the first time this year, albeit at a low level.

The boost to jobs came from small and medium-sized manufacturers, while bigger firms trimmed their workforces.

David Noble, group chief executive at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said the report showed “the Brexit brakes are off”.

“An increase in stock building could signal more positive hope for the coming months,” he added.

“But it remains to be seen whether this expansion of activity is merely filling the post-Brexit void or whether this strong performance will continue.”