Manufacturing Market Wrap December 2025
Manufacturing cooled as PMIs fell; energy/geopolitical shocks, China profit drops and feedstock strains squeezed autos and exporters.
Key Trends
Global manufacturing momentum waned in December as PMIs trended lower and energy/geopolitical shocks increasingly disrupted output. Overall sentiment was neutral-to-cautious: headwinds from feedstock and power disruptions were partially offset by targeted policy support and supply‑chain consolidation. Russia’s PMI slipped late-month, India’s gas dispute raised feedstock risks for chemicals and fertilizers, and Ukrainian plant repairs constrained power and logistics — all weighing on autos and energy‑intensive subsectors. China’s manufacturing profits fell at the fastest pace in over a year, prompting margin compression even as Beijing leaned on advanced‑tech stimulus and steel curbs to reorient demand.
Notable Events
- Russia PMI slump amplified late‑month downside across CIS and European supply links. - India gas dispute and LNG delivery delays threatened petrochemical feedstock and scheduling. - Ukrainian plant repairs cut regional power availability and logistics capacity. - China imposed steel output restraints while promoting tech stimulus; manufacturing profits plunged. - CAD strength weakened Canadian factory sales and exporters’ margins. - LG Energy’s US battery sale to Honda signalled consolidation in North American auto supply chains.
Performance
Manufacturing equities and cyclical suppliers recorded elevated volatility into month‑end; autos underperformed as production setbacks and input‑cost pressure widened. Commodity markets — notably steel and LNG/energy — experienced price swings tied to policy caps and delivery disruptions. FX moves (stronger USD dynamics and firmer CAD) further compressed export margins for exporters in NA and APAC.
Outlook
Expect near‑term headwinds into Q1 2026 from energy/feedstock constraints and softer Chinese demand, partially offset by targeted tech capex and sector consolidation. Key near‑term monitors: Russia and China PMI trajectories, China profit data, LNG delivery schedules, resolution of the India gas dispute, and USD/CAD movements.