ASEAN Manufacturing PMI remains strong in January 2026, with solid operating conditions improvement

56    2026-02-18

S&P Global ASEAN Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.8 in January 2026 (from 52.7 in December), marking the seventh consecutive month of expansion. New orders and output grew sharply, employment saw modest gains, and purchasing activity accelerated to the fastest pace since April 2023. Input cost inflation hit a 14-month high, yet business confidence for production over the next 12 months reached a 33-month high. The data signals a robust start for Southeast Asia manufacturing in 2026, supported by export orders and domestic demand recovery.