September also saw a further increase in employment in addition to business activity, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional PMI survey, though in most regions the rate of job creation remained slower than earlier in the year.
The Lloyds Bank Regional PMI is based on responses from businesses in the manufacturing and service sectors about the value of goods and services produced during September compared with a month earlier.
England’s PMI was 54.0 in September, up slightly from 53.7 in August and its highest reading since January. A reading above 50 signifies expansion, while a reading below signals contraction. The greater the divergence from the 50 mark, the faster the rate of change.
Business activity rose across all regions in England, led by solid growth in the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber (both 55.6). The weakest performer was the South East (51.6), where output rose only modestly and at a slower pace than in August.
Wales also saw a rise in business activity in September and outperformed all English regions, with the PMI at a 15-month high of 56.2.
There was also an increase in employment in September across both England and Wales, reflecting growth in new orders and improved confidence following the EU referendum vote. However jobs growth in most regions remained weak relative trends seen throughout 2015 and earlier this year.
On the price front, Sterling’s weakness contributed to another steep rise in businesses’ input costs, which translated into higher prices charged for goods and services.
Tim Hinton, managing director, for mid-markets and SME banking at Lloyds Banking Group says, ‘After a weaker activity was recorded in the early summer, it is encouraging to see a positive end of the third quarter, reflecting growth in new orders and employment.
‘The weaker pound remains a focal point in the survey data. Improved competitiveness has no doubt given added impetus to the post-EU referendum rebound, but increasingly businesses are feeling the impact of higher import costs.’
Further reading on business performance
