FX.co ★ Austria Manufacturing PMI Dips in April

The UniCredit Bank Austria Manufacturing PMI eased to 51.2 in April 2026 from 52.4 in March, indicating a loss of momentum as conditions in the sector weakened. The slowdown was driven by renewed declines in both output and new orders. Production slipped back into contraction territory, while export orders registered a slight decline. At the same time, cost pressures intensified, with input price inflation rising to its highest level since September 2022 and output prices increasing at one of the fastest rates in recent years. Supply chains also came under pressure, as delivery times lengthened amid logistics disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Companies built up inventories for the first time in more than three years, while purchasing growth slowed and employment fell more sharply, reflecting excess capacity and cost-cutting efforts. Looking ahead, business confidence weakened to its lowest level in over a year, weighed down by concerns over demand, costs, and heightened uncertainty.