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IHS Markit's PMI data showed worldwide economic growth faltering
to the lowest for one and a half year in January as the Omicron
wave disrupted business activity. Detailed sector data from the PMI
reveal how consumer-facing industries were the hardest hit, with
tourism and recreation reporting by far the steepest downturn.
However, many other sectors saw output trend deteriorate during the
month amid widespread staff and materials shortages, as well as
weakened demand, though these may also be the sectors poised to
rebound the fastest once the Omicron wave passes.
IHS Markit's global sector PMI data cover every major developed
and emerging economy, based on monthly questionnaires completed by
a panel of over 30,000 companies in over 40 countries. The survey
data are best known for providing the first indications of national
and global economic trends, but also provide unique insights in
detailed sectors of the global and regional economies.
Of the 26 detailed sectors and sub-sectors covered by the global
PMI database, five reported falling output in January, with the
steepest decline reported by tourism & recreation services
companies, followed by drinks manufacturers and then transportation
companies. Metals & mining and basic material resources firms
also reported falling production levels. Output growth meanwhile
slowed in a further 14 of the 26 sectors
Consequently, output growth slowed in six of the seven broad
industry classifications from which the detailed sectors are drawn,
while consumer services recorded a further decline in output.
The strongest growth was meanwhile reported by financial
services firms, led by non-banking ("other") financial services and
insurance, two of only seven sectors which saw output growth
accelerate during the month.
The January data coincided with the Omicron wave of the COVID-19
virus which led to increased consumer caution as well as greater
government virus containment measures. With record number of
infections recorded in many countries, the downturns in tourism,
recreation, transportation and the wider consumer services industry
grouping were the steepest since the lockdowns of early-2021.
However, an additional impact of the pandemic was on the supply
of both materials and staff, with illness and government health
protection measures once again stymieing output across the world.
The proportion of companies reporting that business activity was
constrained by either staff or materials shortages rose in January,
remaining below last October's peak yet running far higher than at
any time prior to the past few months.
To get an indication of which sectors are seeing the greatest
constraints on their activity, we can compare the latest change in
output against the latest change in demand, the latter measured by
the survey's gauge of new orders. If new orders are rising faster
than output is growing, the survey data suggest that activity is
being constrained, most likely by supply shortages or COVID-19
restrictions.
The analysis reveals that tech equipment manufacturers are the
most constrained at present, followed by food manufacturers and
transportation services.
It is perhaps no surprise that some of these most constrained
sectors are also seeing the steepest price rises, as constrained
supply feeds through to improved pricing power. This is perhaps of
greatest concern in the food sector, given the importance of food
prices to the cost of living and social stability, with January
seeing a record increase in prices charged for food globally.
More encouragingly, these are likely to also be the sectors that
rebound most sharply when the Omicron wave, and tis associated
health restrictions ease, pointing to improved revenue growth for
these companies.
Posted 07 February 2022 by Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Purchasing Managers' Index™ (PMI™) data are compiled by IHS Markit for more than 40 economies worldwide. The monthly data are derived from surveys of senior executives at private sector companies, and are available only via subscription. The PMI dataset features a headline number, which indicates the overall health of an economy, and sub-indices, which provide insights into other key economic drivers such as GDP, inflation, exports, capacity utilization, employment and inventories. The PMI data are used by financial and corporate professionals to better understand where economies and markets are headed, and to uncover opportunities.
