PMI in Focus: Global Business Outlook and AI Sentiment

Host Paul Smith is joined by senior economists Pollyanna de Lima and Andrew Harker to explore the latest trends in Purchasing Managers' Indices (PMI) and their implications for the global economy. They discuss the resilience of global economic growth in 2025 in the face of challenges such as low business confidence, tariffs, and trade uncertainties. The team analyzes the mixed performance across Latin America, with notable expansions in Colombia contrasted by contractions in Brazil and Mexico. As they shift focus to the future, they explore the findings of the recent Global Business Outlook surveys, highlighting subdued plans for employment and investment amidst geopolitical uncertainties. The conversation also touches on the rising investment in artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors, examining how firms are leveraging AI for efficiency, recruitment, and customer acquisition while facing challenges like implementation difficulties and accuracy concerns. More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Business investment spending outlook gloomiest since pandemic Broad-based deterioration in trade in October Global Economic Outlook: October 2025 For S&P Global subscribers (login required): US tariff plans Trends in the World Economy and Trade October 2025 Credits: Host: Paul Smith Guests: Andrew Harker, Pollyanna De Lima Produced By: Kristen Hallam Edited By: Marz Marcello Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun