Australia’s S&P Global Composite PMI came in at 52.7 in August 2026, above the flash estimate of 52.5 but down from 53.2 in July. The latest reading signaled the fourth expansion in private-sector activity in five months, with growth again led by services as manufacturing output declined slightly.
New orders rose in both manufacturing and services, driving a second consecutive monthly increase in overall new business, while new export orders grew for the first time in five months. Business confidence strengthened to its highest level in half a year, and firms continued to expand their workforces.
At the same time, input cost inflation picked up, indicating renewed cost pressures. However, the rate of selling-price inflation slowed compared with July, suggesting companies were more restrained in passing higher costs on to customers.
