FX.co ★ Australia Manufacturing Shrinks for 2nd Straight Month

The S&P Global Australia Manufacturing PMI edged up to 49.7 in October 2026 from a 21‑month low of 49.6 in September, according to preliminary estimates. Despite the uptick, the index signaled a second consecutive month of contraction in the manufacturing sector, as a sharper decline in new orders outweighed improvements elsewhere. Foreign demand also fell, though at a slower pace than before. Purchasing activity continued to decline in step with weaker new orders, while delivery times deteriorated further. On the cost side, input price inflation picked up.