Live Updates > Live Update Details
2026-11-05 15:30:26
[South Africa's Private Sector Remains in Contraction in October] The S&P Global South Africa PMI held steady at 49.0 in October, remaining below the 50.0 threshold for the second consecutive month, indicating continued weakness in private sector activity. Output declined at its fastest pace since December 2025, dragged down by weak demand, rising fuel costs, and transport disruptions. New orders continued to fall, but the rate of decline slowed compared to September, while export demand weakened for the first time since May. Employment fell for the third consecutive month, marking the largest drop in six years. Meanwhile, rising fuel costs pushed purchasing cost inflation to a four-month high, and sales price increases were also the fastest in four months. Supply chain delays persisted, but delivery times improved slightly. Looking ahead, economic and geopolitical uncertainties have significantly weakened business confidence, with the expectations index falling to its lowest level since August 2020.
