On 2 November 2026 S&P Global reported that the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for Czech manufacturing stood at 55 points in October, after 53.5 points in September. It is the highest reading since February 2022, shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The 50-point mark separates growth from contraction in the sector; conditions in Czech industry have been improving for the eighth month in a row.[1][3]
Output, orders and prices
Output, new orders and employment grew faster, and exports strengthened markedly. Manufacturing output rose for the eleventh month running, at the fastest pace since March, and staffing increased the most since January 2022. According to the survey, investment in capacity also contributed to the output growth. Manufacturers raised their purchasing activity the most since April 2022. Delivery times lengthened considerably, owing to shortages of, for example, chips, disruption of supply chains and delays in sea transport.[1][3]
Inflationary pressures also increased. Input and output prices rose at the fastest pace in four and three months respectively and remained above long-term averages, though lower than in the euro area. Price growth was named as the main risk for the next 12 months, and the outlook fell to its lowest level since April.[1][3]
Assessment
Trevor Balchin, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said that the Czech sector had outperformed the euro area for the eighth time in a row and that the gap had widened the most since March 2016. According to him, exports recorded their best month since August 2021.[1][3] Lukáš Kovanda, chief economist of Trinity Bank, believes that Czech manufacturers can take over part of the orders of more expensive Western European firms thanks to their competitiveness. Petr Dufek, chief economist of Creditas, pointed out that rising energy costs will be reflected in prices and that higher gas and electricity prices open room for production inflation.[2]
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 2 November 2026
- Novinky.cz — 2 November 2026
- Seznam Zprávy — 2 November 2026