The S&P Global Australia Manufacturing PMI inched up to 49.7 in October 2026 from a 21-month low of 49.6 in September, preliminary estimates showed. It marked the second straight month of contraction in the manufacturing sector, driven by a steeper fall in new orders, while foreign demand reported a less pronounced decline. Purchasing activity continued to fall in line with new orders, with delivery times worsening further. On the price front, input cost inflation accelerated.