25.02.202609:41:30UTC+00Austria Manufacturing PMI Hits 3-Month High

The UniCredit Bank Austria Manufacturing PMI increased to 49.4 in February 2026 from 47.2 in January, reaching its highest level since November 2025. The improvement was largely driven by the first expansion in new business in nearly four years. Manufacturers reported a renewed rise in new orders, which helped stabilize output, even though overall production remained broadly unchanged.

At the same time, firms continued to reduce both employment and purchasing activity in response to cost pressures. Input costs rose at their fastest rate in more than three years, while output prices increased for the first time since April 2025. Supplier delivery times lengthened further, reflecting ongoing material shortages and shipping delays.

Looking ahead, business sentiment was distinctly positive. Expectations for activity over the next 12 months climbed to their highest level since January 2022, underpinned by confidence in improving market conditions and planned new product launches.