Nigeria: PMI climbs in October
The Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged up from 52.5 in September to 53.5 in October. Thus, the index moved further above the 50-threshold that separates improvement from deterioration in business conditions, pointing to stronger growth of private sector activity.
Both output and new orders picked up amid improved demand and easing of Covid-19 restrictions, helping lift the index higher. Moreover, in line with higher workloads, companies continued to increase their staffing levels, with the pace of job creation broadly the same as in September. On the price front, input cost inflation moderated somewhat but remained sharp nonetheless, prompting firms to hike selling charges markedly. Lastly, businesses remained optimistic over prospects of higher output ahead; that said, sentiment remained below the series average.