Rates of expansion in output and new orders gained traction, while the trend in new export business saw a modest recovery following August's solid contraction. On the price front, rates of input cost and output charge inflation both strengthened.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index posted 53.8 in September, following an upwardly revised figure of 53.0 in August (originally published as 52.8). The PMI has remained above the neutral 50.0 mark for 26 months.