Business confidence in Singapore’s manufacturing sector rose to 8 in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting a cautious but notable upturn after a reading of 5 in the previous quarter. The electronics sector (+30) was the main driver, buoyed by sustained AI-related demand in the semiconductors segment. The biomedical sector (+11) also turned positive, supported by higher expected orders for pharmaceuticals products. Similarly, transport engineering (+13) remained optimistic, led by strong demand in aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities. In contrast, precision engineering (-35) posted the weakest outlook as firms reported delayed customer orders amid global uncertainty, while chemicals (-4) stayed subdued due to weak demand and maintenance shutdowns. Meanwhile, output expectations for Q4 turned positive (+7), with most clusters anticipating higher production, though employment levels are expected to stay broadly stable.