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South African factory mood improves in April, Absa PMI shows

By Reuters Reuters
Women work at a factory called Ener-G-Africa, where they produce high-quality solar panels made by an all-women team, in Cape Town, South Africa, February 9, 2023. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
Women work at a factory called Ener-G-Africa, where they produce high-quality solar panels made by an all-women team, in Cape Town, South Africa, February 9, 2023. REUTERS/Esa Alexander ESA ALEXANDER REUTERS

JOHANNESBURG - A gauge of South African manufacturing sentiment improved in April as output and new sales orders rebounded after a weak first quarter, a purchasing managers' index (PMI) survey showed on Monday.

• The seasonally adjusted PMI sponsored by South African bank Absa rose to 52.6 in April from 49.0 in March, returning to growth for the first time since September 2025.

• A reading above 50 signifies an expansion in business activity.

• "Some of this improvement likely reflects front-loading of demand ahead of expected price increases, raising questions about the sustainability of the recovery," said Absa in a statement.

• Business activity rose to 52.8 from 46.1, returning to expansionary territory, while new sales orders jumped to 52.9 from 44.5.

• However, input costs were pushed higher by a weaker rand currency and higher international oil prices.

• Expected business conditions improved slightly but remained below 50, pointing to subdued confidence.

(Reporting by Sfundo Parakozov;Editing by Bate Felix)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 5:46 AM.

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