FX.co ★ Austria Manufacturing Sector Improves in May

The UniCredit Bank Austria Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.7 in May 2026, up from 51.2 in April, indicating a modest strengthening of conditions in the manufacturing sector. Output returned to growth for the third time in four months, supported by inventory-building and efforts to reduce outstanding backlogs of work. New orders continued to fall, but at a slower rate, with some firms noting that clients brought forward purchases to pre-empt anticipated price increases. On the cost side, input prices rose at their fastest pace in four years, reflecting higher expenses for energy, fuel, transportation, oil-related products, and other commodities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Looking ahead, expectations for output over the next twelve months improved slightly from April’s seven-month low, though overall business confidence remained just below its historical average.