UK manufacturing PMI fell to 51.9 in July from 52.5 in June, marking a ninth
consecutive month of expansion but the weakest pace in four months; the
preliminary July reading was 52.8. S&P Global said the month-on-month decline
reflected a sharp reduction in purchases and inventories, slower employment
growth and a sharp deceleration in the pace of increases in supplier delivery
times. The PMI output index rose to 52.9 from 52.6 — the broadest output
expansion since September 2024 — but below the preliminary 53.6. Data suggested
a renewed impact from developments in Iran.
