Manufacturing shrinks as Brexit stockpiling halts

The UK manufacturing sector contracted in May for the first time since July 2016 as stockpiling ahead of Brexit eased, an influential survey shows.

The research, by IHS Markit/CIPS, said firms found difficulty convincing clients to commit to new contracts.

The manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was 49.4, down from 53.1 in April when it was lifted by stockpiling ahead of the UK’s expected EU exit.

Any reading below 50 indicates contraction.