South African factory mood improves in April, Absa PMI shows
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Women work at a factory called Ener-G-Africa, where they produce high-quality solar panels made by an all-women team, in Cape Town, South Africa, February 9, 2023. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
JOHANNESBURG, May 4 (Reuters) - A gauge of South African manufacturing sentiment improved in April as output and new sales orders rebounded after a weak first quarter, a purchasing managers' index (PMI) survey showed on Monday.
• The seasonally adjusted PMI sponsored by South African bank Absa rose to 52.6 in April from 49.0 in March, returning to growth for the first time since September 2025.
• A reading above 50 signifies an expansion in business activity.
• "Some of this improvement likely reflects front-loading of demand ahead of expected price increases, raising questions about the sustainability of the recovery," said Absa in a statement.
• Business activity rose to 52.8 from 46.1, returning to expansionary territory, while new sales orders jumped to 52.9 from 44.5.
• However, input costs were pushed higher by a weaker rand currency and higher international oil prices.
• Expected business conditions improved slightly but remained below 50, pointing to subdued confidence.
(Reporting by Sfundo Parakozov;Editing by Bate Felix)
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