16th December 2024
Monday
Next Monday, December 16, market attention will sharply focus on pivotal economic updates as major economies unveil their latest PMI data. France, Germany, the UK, and the US are set to release Flash Manufacturing and Services PMI figures, providing a vital snapshot of economic health and sector performance. These releases are anticipated to significantly influence market movements, offering traders and analysts crucial insights ahead of year-end strategies.
EUR - French Flash Manufacturing PMI
In November 2024, France's HCOB Manufacturing PMI fell to 43.1, down from 44.5 in October and below the initial estimate of 43.2, marking the 22nd consecutive month of contraction. New orders declined at the steepest rate since May 2020, with both domestic and international demand weakening, especially from the US and Germany. This led to significant cuts in purchasing activity and inventory levels, as firms focused on preserving cash flow. Output contracted sharply, particularly in construction, cosmetics, and automotive sectors. Employment continued to decrease, mostly through the non-replacement of temporary workers. While input costs rose moderately, firms were forced to reduce selling prices at the fastest rate in over a year due to intense competitive pressures. Looking ahead, business confidence remained pessimistic, with firms cautious about future output amid ongoing demand issues and economic uncertainty.
TL;DR
PMI Data | November 2024: 43.1 (down from 44.5 in October, below 43.2 initial estimate) |
Contraction | 22nd consecutive month of contraction |
New Orders | Steepest decline since May 2020; weakened domestic and international demand (US, Germany) |
Purchasing Activity | Significant cuts; focus on cash flow preservation |
Inventory Levels | Reduced due to lower demand |
Output | Sharp contraction in construction, cosmetics, and automotive sectors |
Employment | Continued decline, mostly through non-replacement of temporary workers |
Input Costs | Moderate increase |
Selling Prices | Reduced at the fastest rate in over a year due to competitive pressures |
Business Confidence | Pessimistic; cautious outlook amid demand issues and economic uncertainty |
The
Flash Manufacturing PMI is projected to be
43.0, slightly lower than the previous reading of
43.1.
EUR - French Flash Services PMI
In November 2024, France's HCOB Services PMI dropped to 46.9, revised up from the initial estimate of 45.7 but down from 49.2 in October. This marked the sharpest contraction since January, driven by a significant decline in demand. New orders fell at their fastest pace in a year, influenced by economic uncertainty and tight budget constraints.
TL;DR
PMI Data | November 2024: 46.9 (revised up from 45.7, down from 49.2 in October) |
Contraction | Sharpest since January 2024 |
New Orders | Fastest decline in a year; impacted by economic uncertainty and tight budget constraints |
Demand | Significant decline |
The
Flash Services PMI is expected to be
46.4, a decline from the previous result of
46.9.
The
French Flash Manufacturing and Services PMI will be released on
Monday at
8:15 AM GMT.
EUR - German Flash Manufacturing PMI
Germany’s Flash Manufacturing PMI Output Index rose slightly to 43.2 in November 2024, a 5-month high, but the economy continued to contract, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline in business activity. Both manufacturing and services sectors reported weaker demand, with services activity contracting for the first time in nine months, driven by reduced orders and customer uncertainty. Employment fell for the sixth straight month as job cuts persisted across sectors, although the rate of decline slowed. Inflationary pressures increased, with input costs and output prices rising at the fastest pace in three months, particularly in the service sector. Manufacturers continued to face falling export orders and prolonged inventory reductions amid weak global demand. Despite these challenges, business confidence improved slightly, reflecting hopes for economic recovery after next year’s elections. However, political and economic uncertainty, including trade tensions and cost-cutting measures in the automotive industry, dampened the overall outlook.
TL;DR
PMI Data | Manufacturing PMI Output Index: 43.2 (5-month high, still contracting) |
Business Activity | Fifth consecutive monthly decline |
Sector Performance | - Manufacturing: Falling export orders, prolonged inventory reductions |
- Services: First contraction in 9 months, reduced orders, customer uncertainty |
Employment | Decline for the sixth month; slower rate of job cuts |
Inflation | Input costs and output prices rising at the fastest pace in 3 months, led by the service sector |
Demand | Weaker across both sectors, reflecting global demand issues |
Business Confidence | Slight improvement; hopes for post-election recovery |
Challenges | Political/economic uncertainty, trade tensions, and automotive industry cost-cutting measures |
The
German Manufacturing PMI is expected to be
43.8, up from the previous result of
43.0.
EUR – German Flash Services PMI
In November 2024, Germany's HCOB Services PMI fell to 49.3, down from 51.6 in October and revised lower from an initial estimate of 49.4, marking the first contraction in business activity in nine months. Weaker demand, driven by political and economic uncertainty, led to a third consecutive month of falling new orders, with international demand also declining, though at a slower pace. Employment decreased for the fifth month in a row, the longest streak of job cuts since 2009, though at a slower pace than in previous months. Rising wages contributed to higher input costs, resulting in the steepest increase in output prices since April. Service providers' growth expectations for the next 12 months weakened slightly amid ongoing uncertainty.
TL;DR
PMI Data | Services PMI: 49.3 (down from 51.6 in October, revised from 49.4) |
Contraction | First contraction in business activity in nine months |
New Orders | Declined for the third consecutive month; slower decline in international demand |
Employment | Decreased for the fifth month, the longest streak since 2009; slower rate of job cuts |
Input Costs | Increased due to rising wages |
Output Prices | Steepest rise since April 2024 |
Business Confidence | Growth expectations weakened slightly due to political and economic uncertainty |
The
German Flash Services PMI is projected to be
49.2, slightly down from the previous reading of
49.3.
The
German Flash Manufacturing and Services PMI will be released on
Monday at
8:30 AM GMT.
UK - Flash Manufacturing PMI
In November 2024, the S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI was revised down to 48, from an initial 48.6 and compared to 49.9 in October, signaling the sharpest contraction since February. Output declined for the first time in seven months, driven by the steepest drop in new orders since February. Economic uncertainty, weak demand, and rising costs led to reductions in staffing, purchasing, and inventory. The export sector also struggled, with weaker demand from the US, China, and the EU contributing to a drop in new export business. Supply chain disruptions, including the Red Sea crisis and port issues, caused delays and cost increases. Despite these challenges, the overall outlook for the sector remained positive.
TL;DR
PMI Data | Manufacturing PMI: 48 (revised down from 48.6, compared to 49.9 in October) |
Contraction | Sharpest since February 2024 |
Output | Declined for the first time in seven months |
New Orders | Steepest drop since February, impacted by economic uncertainty and weak demand |
Employment | Reductions due to rising costs and weak demand |
Export Sector | Declined, with weaker demand from the US, China, and the EU |
Supply Chain | Disruptions from the Red Sea crisis and port issues caused delays and cost increases |
Purchasing & Inventory | Reduced as firms adjusted to weaker demand |
Business Outlook | Remained positive despite challenges |
The
Flash Manufacturing PMI is expected to be
48.1, slightly higher than the previous reading of
48.0.
UK - Flash Services PMI
In November 2024, the S&P Global UK Services PMI was revised up to 50.8, from an initial 50 but down from 52 in October, indicating slow growth in business activity—the weakest since the expansion began in November 2023. Service providers faced challenges due to economic uncertainty and concerns over tax hikes in the Autumn Budget. New business volumes increased for the thirteenth straight month, driven by strong consumer spending, though growth slowed to its weakest pace since June. Foreign demand moderated, despite stronger interest from US clients. Employment fell for the second month, though at a slower rate. Cost inflation accelerated to its fastest pace since April, and price charges rose to their highest level since July. Confidence in the business outlook dropped to its lowest since December 2022.
TL;DR
PMI Data | Services PMI: 50.8 (revised up from 50, down from 52 in October) |
Growth | Slowest expansion since November 2023 |
New Business | Increased for the 13th consecutive month; slowest growth since June |
Foreign Demand | Moderated, with stronger interest from US clients |
Employment | Declined for the second month, though at a slower pace |
Cost Inflation | Accelerated to the fastest pace since April |
Price Charges | Increased to the highest level since July |
Business Confidence | Dropped to the lowest since December 2022, influenced by economic uncertainty and tax concerns |
The
Flash Services PMI is projected to be
51.0, up from the previous result of
50.8.
The
Flash Manufacturing and Services PMI will be announced on
Monday at
9:30 AM GMT.
USD - Flash Manufacturing PMI
In November 2024, the S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI was revised higher to 49.7, up from a preliminary 48.8 and compared to 48.5 in October, signaling near stabilization in the sector. The decline in new orders slowed significantly, and stronger confidence about the future led to increased hiring. Despite this, output continued to contract. Input cost inflation weakened to its slowest pace in a year, while output prices rose slightly faster. Optimism for the year ahead reached its highest level in two and a half years, driven by reduced election uncertainty and expectations of stronger economic growth and increased protectionism under the upcoming Trump administration in 2025.
TL;DR
PMI Data | Manufacturing PMI: 49.7 (revised up from 48.8, compared to 48.5 in October) |
Sector Trend | Near stabilization |
New Orders | Decline slowed significantly |
Output | Continued to contract |
Employment | Increased due to stronger confidence about the future |
Input Costs | Inflation weakened to its slowest pace in a year |
Output Prices | Rose slightly faster |
Business Confidence | Highest in two and a half years, driven by reduced election uncertainty and policy expectations |
The
Flash Manufacturing PMI is expected to be
50.0, an increase from the previous result of
49.7.
USD – Flash Services PMI
In November 2024, the S&P Global US Services PMI was revised down to 56.1, from a preliminary 57, but still higher than October’s 55, reflecting the fastest growth in the sector since March 2022. Both business activity and new orders accelerated, with some firms attributing the growth to the end of election uncertainty and lower interest rates. However, companies remained cautious about hiring, leading to a slight reduction in employment and a buildup of outstanding business. While input costs continued to rise sharply, inflation eased, and output prices increased at the slowest pace in four-and-a-half years. Overall, firms were optimistic about future business activity.
TL;DR
PMI Data | Services PMI: 56.1 (revised down from 57, up from 55 in October) |
Growth | Fastest in the sector since March 2022 |
Business Activity | Accelerated, driven by reduced election uncertainty and lower interest rates |
Employment | Slight reduction; led to a buildup of outstanding business |
Input Costs | Continued to rise sharply, though inflation eased |
Output Prices | Increased at the slowest pace in four-and-a-half years |
Business Confidence | Optimistic about future activity |
The
Flash Services PMI is projected to be
56.0, slightly down from the previous reading of
56.1.
The
Flash Manufacturing and Services PMI will be released on
Monday at
2:45 PM GMT.