The private sector returned to growth last December, with renewed increases in output and new orders recorded in the face of recovery in demand, the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has shown.
The 28.2 per cent inflation rate in November was 11th straight month of increase and highest level in 18 years.
The private sector growth occurred despite continued intense inflationary pressure, with purchase costs and selling prices each rising at sharper rates than in November.
The PMI report indicated that business confidence dropped to the joint-lowest in the decade.
The headline figure derived from the survey is the PMI, says readings above 50 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50 show a deterioration.
The headline PMI moved back above the 50 no-change mark for the first time in three months at the end of 2023, posting 52.7 in December from 48 in November.
The reading signaled a solid improvement in the health of the private sector, and one that was the most marked since June.
Demand conditions showed signs of recovery, leading to a marked increase in new orders following two months of contraction.
Similarly, business activity also returned to growth and was up solidly over the month. Sector data showed that wholesale and retail activity continued to fall, however.
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The improvements seen in December were recorded in spite of a continuation of the severe price pressures seen in recent months. While overall input price inflation softened slightly, it remained among the sharpest on record.
The slowdown in overall input price inflation reflected a softer, but still solid increase in staff costs.
Meanwhile, the rate of purchase price inflation quickened for the third successive month and was the sharpest for two years. Panelists again linked inflation to exchange rate weakness and higher fuel costs, while there were also reports of higher prices for animal feed.
According to the report, selling price inflation also quickened, and was the fastest since the survey record posted in August.
“The improvements in new orders and business activity in December encouraged companies to take on extra staff at the end of the year, thereby extending the current sequence of job creation to eight months. Purchasing activity and inventory holdings were also expanded,” it said.
“Backlogs of work increased for the third time in the past four months, however, amid issues with the cost and availability of materials and customer payment delays. Competitive pressures and requests for faster deliveries led to a tenth consecutive monthly improvement in vendors,” it stated.