FX.co ★ Italy’s Manufacturing Momentum Builds as HCOB PMI Climbs to 52.9 in May

Italy’s manufacturing sector extended its expansion in May, with the HCOB Italy Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 52.9, up from 52.1 in April 2026. The latest reading, updated on 1 June 2026, signals a further strengthening of activity in the country’s industrial base.

The move from 52.1 to 52.9 indicates that growth in the sector is not only continuing but modestly accelerating. A PMI reading above 50 points to expansion, and the higher May figure suggests improving business conditions for Italian manufacturers compared with the previous month. Investors and analysts will now be watching upcoming data to gauge whether this upward trend can be sustained in the months ahead.