The United Kingdom’s Flash Manufacturing PMI is released on 21 August at 08:30 UTC, giving the session an early read on factory activity across the economy and putting sterling pairs in the spotlight.
What the Flash Manufacturing PMI measures
The Flash Manufacturing PMI is a survey of purchasing managers at UK factories, covering output, new orders, employment, supplier deliveries and inventories. A reading above 50.0 signals expansion in the sector, while a figure below 50.0 points to contraction.
As a “flash” estimate based on the majority of survey responses, it is among the earliest monthly indicators of the sector’s health, which is why markets follow it closely. The forecast stands at 51.6, down from the previous reading of 52.8.
Because the print arrives ahead of most hard data for the month, it is often used as a timely gauge of the manufacturing pulse.
How the GBP pairs are trading
Across the ForexBullion feed, sterling is firmer against most counterparts ahead of the release. GBPJPY is the biggest mover, trading at 216.75, up 0.71% on the day.
GBPCHF is at 1.09026, higher by 0.49%, while GBPSEK sits at 12.88615, up 0.37%. GBPAUD trades at 1.91526, a gain of 0.32%, and GBPNOK is at 12.71455, up 0.23%.
EURGBP is the standout on the other side, at 0.8562, down 0.23% β reflecting sterling’s relative firmness against the euro.
The survey is watched as a snapshot of UK manufacturing momentum relative to the prior month and the consensus estimate.
Descriptive market news from the ForexBullion Research Team. Not investment advice.
