Czech manufacturing conditions improve for seventh month

Conditions in Czech manufacturing improved for the seventh consecutive month in September, according to S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers’ Index. The PMI stood at 53.5 points, down from 54.1 in August but remaining above the 50-point threshold separating growth from contraction. Output and new orders increased amid stronger demand from both domestic and foreign customers. Higher production requirements also led to the sharpest increase in employment since April 2022. However, supplier performance deteriorated because of transport delays and supply shortages, while higher energy and fuel costs intensified inflationary pressures.