Pakistan BCI jumps past 52 points in July 2026

July 27, 2026 (MLN): The overall Business Confidence Index (BCI) rose by 4.2 points to 52.4 in July 2026, the latest results of the Business Confidence Survey (BCS), conducted by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in collaboration with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), showed.

The survey was conducted during July 01-15, 2026, with a total of 479 respondents, showing confidence improving across both the Industry and Services sectors.

The BCI for the Industry sector rose by 5.6 points to 51.7, while the Services sector BCI gained 3.9 points to 52.7.

Current Business Confidence

The Current Business Confidence Index (CBCI), which shows general economic conditions over the past six months, rose by 5.4 points to 49.6 in July 2026.

Expected Business Confidence

The Expected Business Confidence Index (EBCI), which captures businesses' outlook for economic and business conditions over the next six months, climbed 3.2 points to 55.3 in July 2026.

Purchasing Managers Index

The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) edged up by 1.7 points to 51.9 in July 2026, extending its positive trajectory above the neutral threshold.

Among its sub-components, Business Activity rose to 51.1, Total Employees increased to 49.8, Order Books climbed to 52.3, Raw Material Purchases edged up to 54.1, and Speed of Suppliers' Delivery improved to 52.3 — with all components of the PMI recording increases.

Inflation Expectations

Businesses' inflation expectations eased in July 2026 to 7.0 at the aggregate level, down from 8.4 in the previous wave.

The proportion of businesses expecting higher prices declined to 66.9% from 69% in the previous wave.

At the sector level, inflation expectations in the Industry sector fell from 68.9% to 65.4%, while the Services sector eased from 69.2% to 68.2%.

Employment

Employment sentiment improved in July 2026.

The Current Employment Index rose to 52.1 from 50.1 in June, moving further above the neutral mark. The Expected Employment Index also improved, rising to 53.8 from 53.2 in June.

Capacity Utilization

The Average Current Capacity Utilization (ACCU) of the Manufacturing sector eased to 66.1% in July 2026 from 67.1% in the previous wave, changing only marginally.

Copyright Mettis Link News