FX.co ★ UAE Non-Oil Private Sector Activity Steady

The S&P Global United Arab Emirates Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) remained steady at 54 in April 2025, consistent with the figure from the previous month. This stability indicates a continued robust improvement in the underlying business environment. During this period, new orders experienced a significant surge, while employment saw its most rapid growth in 11 months as companies aimed to alleviate mounting backlogs. Although the volume of outstanding work increased substantially, it did so at the slowest rate observed in the past six months. Additionally, data revealed a notable enhancement in supplier performance, with delivery times improving at the quickest rate since last August. In terms of pricing dynamics, input costs rose once again, influenced by hikes in both procurement and workforce expenses. Although prices charged to consumers also climbed, they did so at a more moderate rate compared to March. Lastly, business confidence rose for the third consecutive month, reaching the highest level recorded in 2025 so far. This optimism is attributed to expectations that robust sales pipelines and resilient market conditions will continue to bolster future business activity.