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2026-11-02 11:48:26
[South Korea’s Manufacturing PMI Falls to 51.3 in October: Output and New Orders Slow, But Confidence Remains Stable] (1) S&P Global data shows that despite the positive factors brought by AI, South Korean manufacturing output began to weaken in the last quarter of 2026 as orders slowed; the seasonally adjusted PMI fell to 51.3 in October, the lowest since February, reflecting a sharp slowdown in output and new orders, with production growth falling to its lowest level so far in 2026. (2) Usamah Bhatti of S&P Global Market Intelligence said that companies said slowing demand, raw material shortages and high costs were dragging down the economy, exacerbating cost and capacity pressures and causing input prices to rise sharply; employment fell for the first time in four months as companies adjusted to weaker operating conditions. (3) However, Bhatti said that confidence remained robust as companies hoped for new product launches and a “supercycle” in semiconductor demand to support growth.
