Russian factory activity grows at fastest pace in over six years in Sept -PMI

Reuters

Published Oct 02, 2023 07:03

(Reuters) - Activity in Russian manufacturing grew at its fastest pace in more than six years in September, a survey showed on Monday, while employment in the sector rose at its quickest rate in over two decades.

The S&P Global Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for manufacturing rose to 54.5 from 52.7 in August, moving further above the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction. It was the highest reading since January 2017.

"Stronger client demand, new product launches and successful import substitution reportedly drove the upturn," S&P Global said in a statement. "The acceleration in growth was led by domestic demand, as new export orders increased at a slower and only marginal pace.

The sector's growth in the more than 19 months since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began has been largely predicated on domestic demand.

"Challenging economic conditions in key markets were noted as weighing on the rise in sales from abroad, S&P Global said.