Greece manufacturing growth slows to five-month low in October, PMI shows

Greece Manufacturing Expansion Falters in October, PMI Shows 5-Month Low

Greece Manufacturing Sector Performance in October

PMI Data and Sector Overview

ATHENS, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Greece's manufacturing sector expanded in October at its weakest pace since May as supply chain disruption and rising energy, fuel and transport costs intensified price pressures, a business survey showed on Monday.

S&P Global Greece Manufacturing PMI

• The S&P Global Greece Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 53.3 in October from 54.0 in September. The 50 mark separates growth from contraction

Sector Resilience Amid Geopolitical Instabilities

• "Greece's manufacturing sector showed further resilience in the face of ongoing geopolitical instabilities, with output, purchasing activity and employment all rising since September," said Paul Smith, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence

Key Performance Indicators

Output and New Orders

• Output grew at the fastest pace since July, while new orders rose for a 24th straight month but at the weakest rate since May. New export business also increased for a fourth consecutive month, with firms citing stronger demand from domestic and international clients

Employment and Backlogs

• Employment rose for a 23rd successive month, though the pace softened to its weakest since April. Backlogs of work fell for a second straight month

Cost Pressures and Business Sentiment

Input Costs and Output Charges

• Input cost inflation accelerated to its highest since May, driven by energy, fuel and transportation expenses linked to disruption from the Middle East conflict. Firms raised output charges at the sharpest pace since June, while supplier delivery times continued to deteriorate markedly

Business Confidence and Outlook

Optimism and Concerns

• Manufacturers remained optimistic about output, supported by plans to expand capacity and start new projects, but confidence fell to its lowest since May amid geopolitical uncertainty and worries that protests in Europe could spread to Greece

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Hugh Lawson)