Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™) survey data from Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) scaled new heights in November, signalling a burgeoning non-energy private sector economy. Both total activity and new business rose at the strongest rates since the survey began in April 2017, while a record rise in backlogged work suggested growing capacity pressures despite a further rise in employment. Moreover, pricing power improved as average charges for goods and services increased at a series-record pace during November.

The Qatar PMI indices are compiled from survey responses from a panel of around 450 private sector companies. The panel covers the manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail, and services sectors, and reflects the structure of the non-energy economy according to official national accounts data. 

The headline IHS Markit Qatar PMI is a composite single-figure indicator of non-energy private sector performance. It is derived from indicators for new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of purchases. 

The PMI set a new record high for the third month running at 63.1 in November, up from 62.2 in October. This indicated the strongest overall improvement in non-energy business conditions since the survey began in April 2017. The headline figure has risen for the past six months, a record sequence of month-on-month gains.

The latest rise in the PMI was driven by the new orders and output components, which together have a weight of 55% in the headline figure. Both indicators set new record highs during the month, most notably new business, with 54% of companies reporting stronger demand growth during November. In contrast, only 2% of firms reported lower new orders during the month compared with October. Growth rates for output and new work have accelerated continuously since June. Firms linked growth to healthy trading conditions, a lack of COVID restrictions and high levels of customer satisfaction as well as retention. 

Qatari firms remained confident of growth in activity from current levels in 12 months' time, partly linked to increased tourism and business opportunities due to the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. Sentiment was strongest in the services and construction sectors. 

Employment in the non-energy private sector rose for the fourteenth successive month in November, and at a stronger rate. Despite the pick-up in hiring activity, the level of outstanding business increased at the fastest rate on record. This suggested growing pressure from demand on business capacity.

Purchasing activity was stepped up to meet rising demand in November. The volume of inputs bought rose at the second-fastest rate on record, surpassed only by the bounce registered in July 2020. Stocked inputs rose for the sixth month running. Average purchase prices increased at the fastest rate since June, contributing to the strongest overall cost pressures since August 2020. Wages and salaries also continued to rise, albeit at a slower rate.

With growing pressure on costs and rapidly improving demand, non-energy private sector firms raised their charges for goods and services in November. Moreover, the rate of inflation accelerated to a survey record high, signalling an improvement in profitability.