Contractionary Theme Continues In October PMI

UK flash October PMIs all printed in contractionary territory once again (services has been <50 for 3-consecutive months, while manufacturing has remained in contraction since August 2022). Services and composite readings were in line with expectations and broadly unchanged on the month , while the manufacturing print rose by almost 1 point to 45.2, just above expectations.

• "Lower output was seen in both the manufacturing and service sectors, with the former posting the sharper rate of decline".
• "Service providers indicated only a marginal fall in business activity during October" as a result of higher borrowing costs and weak consumer confidence/demand - these factors also contributed to declines in new work. The release notes "outperformance was mostly centred on the technology services sub-sector".
• There was reduced private sector employment as backlogs fell, likely a combination of non-replacement of leavers and staff redundancies.
• "Further softening of cost pressures across the service economy, alongside falling purchasing prices in the manufacturing sector" helped input price inflation fall, but higher salaries and fuel prices were key upside drivers nonetheless.
• However, there was a "sharp and accelerated increase in output charges across the service economy, with survey respondents often noting efforts to catch up on broader inflationary pressures and limit the squeeze on their operating margins".
• 10-year Gilts have sustained weakness following the release, with yields 3-4bps higher, while GBP has risen around 0.15% against the EUR and USD. SONIA-dated OIS sees a slight shift up in hikes across the curve, but only an additional 0.3bps for the November meeting (currently 4.0bps priced).