- Softest rise in output in 2021 so far
- Joint-fastest increase in charges since November 2018
- Business sentiment at 14-month low
The final month of the second quarter of 2021 saw further growth in the private sector, with output, new orders and employment all increasing in June. That said, rates of expansion eased as marked increases in prices restricted growth. Inflationary pressures were also behind a decline in sentiment regarding the 12-month outlook.
The headline seasonally adjusted Ghana PMI ticked down to 51.0 in June from 51.5 in May. The reading signalled a slight improvement in business conditions, but one that was the weakest in the year-to-date. The health of the private sector has now strengthened in each of the past 11 months.
Continued improvements in customer demand resulted in ongoing increases in both business activity and new orders at companies during June. That said, there were some reports from panellists that price rises had made securing new work more difficult. As a result, output and new business rose only modestly, and in both cases at the slowest rates in six months.
Firms raised their selling prices at a marked pace, and one that was the joint-fastest in just over two-and-a-half years. Where charges increased, this was mainly due to the passing on of higher input costs to customers.
Purchase costs continued to increase sharply, although the rate of inflation softened slightly from that seen in May. Inflationary pressures came from a range of sources, according to respondents. Higher fuel costs were widely mentioned, while rises in freight and other transportation costs were signalled. Raw material shortages also contributed to higher prices. Alongside rising purchase prices, staff costs also increased in June as firms helped their employees with higher living costs.
The modest rise in wages was the fastest in three months.
Concerns about cost pressures dampened optimism in the 12-month outlook for business activity, as sentiment dropped to a 14-month low. Nonetheless, firms remained optimistic overall amid hopes of improving economic conditions. As has been the case in each of the past 11 months, companies in Ghana took on extra staff during June in response to higher workloads.
That said, the rate of job creation was modest and the slowest since January. A further marked accumulation of outstanding business was recorded amid delays in the receipt of raw materials and production issues.
Suppliers’ delivery times lengthened fractionally, with delays caused by material shortages. The rate of deterioration in vendor performance was the least marked in 2021 so far.
Higher new orders encouraged firms to expand their purchasing activity, which increased for the eleventh month running. In line with the trends in output, new orders and employment, however, the rate of expansion in input buying softened. Despite increased purchasing, stocks of inputs decreased amid difficulties sourcing materials.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Andrew Harker, Economics Director at IHS Markit, said: “Whilst the latest Ghana PMI seems to paint a positive picture of the performance of the private sector midway through the year, delving into the details suggests some developing headwinds. Sustained price rises have begun to test the strength of customer demand as increases in costs for fuel, materials and transportation are passed on to clients. There are also growing concerns among companies that price rises are going to restrict growth over the year ahead. Firms will therefore be hoping that price pressures start to ease so that the current sequence of growth can be sustained
