Russia’s PMI hits highest since invasion in August
Russian businessmen are relatively sanguine about the sanctions as the effects of the economic slowdown have yet to hurt the population / bne IntelliNews
By bne IntelliNews
September 1, 2022
The seasonally adjusted S&P Russia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) posted 51.7 points in August 2022, above the no-change mark indicating expansion, up from 50.3 in July and showing the strongest improvement in the health of the manufacturing sector since January.
As followed by bne IntelliNews, the Russian economy seems to be doing much better than expected under Western sanctions for the military invasion of Ukraine and corporate profits remained resilient in 2Q22. PMI also remained in the black in the preceding months.
In August, Russian manufacturing firms recorded a modest improvement in operating conditions, with the upturn supported by stronger domestic demand, which drove output higher. The increase in new manufacturing sales was solid and the fastest since April 2019.
“Anecdotal evidence stated that greater new order inflows stemmed from the acquisition of new customers and stronger client demand in the domestic market,” the report said. In contrast, external sales remained in contraction territory and fell at their fastest pace since May.
Cost burdens continued to increase for Russian manufacturers in August. The rise in operating expenses eased notably from those seen earlier in the year, however, as falling costs for raw materials dampened inflationary pressures.
At the same time, firms stated that higher selling prices were linked to efforts to pass on greater costs to clients.
Notably, business confidence remained upbeat overall, even if softened in August. Positive sentiment was attributed to investment in marketing and hopes of stronger client demand. “That said, economic uncertainty weighed on expectations, which were weaker than the series average,” S&P report claimed.
Data
Czech industrial production increased by 1.9% year on year and by 2.8% month on month in October. The October increase follows a 5% slump registered in September, which alarmed local analysts.
Since 2018, economy has carried risk of severe balance of payments crisis. For the removal of that risk, the central bank’s net in and off-balance sheet FX position should at least turn positive.
Decline of 6.5% y/y is second worst in EU.
Retail sales rose by 0.9% m/m in October, recouping the losses incurred over the previous three months.
Czech retail sales decreased by 1.4% year on year and increased by 0.6% month on month in October, in the softest monthly drop in a year and a half. The drop in sales eased compared to the 4% y/y drop in September and the 2.8% y/y drop in August.
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