Saudi private sector growth rises to 18-month high in June: PMI

[DUBAI] Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector growth rose to an 18-month high in June, although output prices and growth fell, a monthly survey of companies showed on Wednesday.

The seasonally adjusted Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 57.4 in June from 57.3 in May, well above the 50 mark indicating expansion.

Saudi Arabia's private sector was subdued last year as it felt the impact of fuel price hikes, the introduction of a 5 per cent value-added tax and the higher cost of hiring foreign workers.

But it has rebounded this year, with the PMI averaging 56.9 points so far against last year's average of 53.8.

"The June survey data showed little change from May's readings, with the headline PMI only marginally higher on the back of slightly faster new work growth," said Khatija Haque, head of MENA research at Emirates NBD.

Job creation decelerated slightly to 50.3 in June from 50.5 a month earlier.

Output prices for goods and services dropped as well, to 49.6, after a rise to 50.6 last month.

Output growth fell slightly in June, with the sub-index dropping to 61.1 from 61.4 in May, a three-month low. Growth continued, however, reflecting an increase in customer demand, according to the survey's authors.

REUTERS