Prior 51.8Key findings:New export orders rise at quickest pace in four and-a-half yearsBusiness sentiment stays close to January's recenthighComment:Rob Dobson, Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence“UK manufacturing has made an encouraging start to2026. Output rose at the quickest pace in 17 monthsduring February, building on a solid upturn in January,as companies enjoy rising intakes of new work from boththe home and overseas markets. Growth of new exportbusiness hit a four-and-a-half year high, as improvingclient confidence in markets such as North America,mainland China, the EU and Middle East led to newcontract wins."The outlook also remains positive. Business optimismamong manufacturers stayed close to January's recenthigh, with close to three-fifths of all companies expectingto expand production during the coming year. Newproduct launches, rising client confidence and plannedinvestments are all forecast to help generate growth overthe next year, offsetting some of the caution companiesare still exhibiting due to recent government policychanges and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, especiallyin relation to US tariffs."Although the promising start to the year and positiveexpectations for the future are not yet fully reflected inthe labour market, there are signs of stabilisation on thejobs front too. The rate of decline in staffing levels wasonly mild in February and eased to the weakest during thecurrent 16-month jobs downturn. This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.