Manufacturing activity across the ASEAN improved in January, extending the sector's growth streak to seven months, data from S&P Global showed Monday.
The S&P Global ASEAN Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 52.8 from 52.7 in December 2025, signalling another broad-based improvement in operating conditions.
Output increased sharply, with production rising for a seventh straight month at one of the fastest paces in nearly three years, supported by sustained growth in new orders despite a slight easing in momentum.
Firms stepped up purchasing activity at the quickest pace since April 2023 to meet higher production needs, S&P said.
Employment increased for a fifth consecutive month, though hiring remained marginal and insufficient to prevent a further build-up in backlogs.
Cost pressures intensified, with input price inflation accelerating to a 14-month high. Selling prices also rose at the fastest rate in 14 months as manufacturers passed on part of the higher costs.
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