Manufacturing industry expanded slightly in September

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 10. 01. 12:26

🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Nyelv: Sebesség: 1.05×

According to a recent report by the Hungarian Logistics, Purchasing and Inventory Management Association (MLBKT), the seasonally adjusted Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.5 points in September, indicating moderate expansion in the manufacturing industry. Although the value is below the long-term September average (52.6), it is above the average for the same month of the previous three years (49.7).

Improving orders, weakening employment

Most of the sub-indexes showed an increase:

New orders: +5.2 percentage points,
production volume: +1.8 percentage points,
purchase volume: +3.9 percentage points,
purchased stocks: +3.5 percentage points.

Foreign trade indicators also improved: the import index was 2.3, the export index increased by 3.1 points. In contrast, the employment index fell to 47.2 points, now below the threshold, indicating contraction. purchase prices decreased slightly, the index value being the second lowest September level since 1995.

Supply chain and inventory

The delivery lead time index remained below 50.0 points, but improved by 5.1 percentage points. Finished goods inventories rose by 6.2 points, reaching the sixth highest September value since 1995.

According to the MLBKT survey, companies experienced price increases in several product groups (such as gold-plated PCBs, injection-molded products, eggs, cables), while other raw materials – such as chemical compounds, plastic raw materials – saw a decrease. There was a shortage of steel scrap, paint and iron materials.

The increase in September may signal a turnaround after the 49.1-point value in August, but the development of employment and price pressures shows a mixed picture. In the manufacturing sector, rising inventory levels and orders may provide cause for optimism, but the weakening labor market is a serious warning for sector players.