The United Kingdom’s private-sector activity continued to expand in October 2026, with the S&P Global Composite PMI edging up to 53.1 from 52.0 in September. The latest reading, updated on 23 October 2026, points to a modest strengthening in overall economic momentum across both manufacturing and services.
October’s improvement keeps the index comfortably above the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction, suggesting that business activity in the UK is not only growing but doing so at a slightly faster pace than in the previous month. The move from 52.0 to 53.1 indicates a broad-based uptick in output and demand conditions compared with September 2026.
While the data release does not detail the underlying drivers, the headline figure reinforces the narrative of a gradually firming recovery in the UK’s private sector heading into the final quarter of 2026. Market participants and policymakers are likely to watch upcoming PMI releases closely for confirmation that this acceleration can be sustained.
