An avenue in Zahleh decorated for Christmas on Dec. 25, 2025. (Credit: Philippe Hage-Boutros/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Nearly a year after the initial optimism surrounding Joseph Aoun’s election as president and Nawaf Salam’s appointment as prime minister faded in the face of Lebanon’s realities, the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) ended the year stronger than it began, reflecting improved private-sector sentiment.At 51.2 points in December 2025, the PMI lost a tenth of a point compared to its November reading, but it remained higher than the 50.6 points seen in January of the same year.The PMI is compiled from surveys of purchasing managers at 400 local firms, following an internationally validated model and methodology. A PMI below 50 points indicates a contraction in activity, while a PMI above 50 points signals an expansion. The greater the month-to-month change in the PMI, the stronger the growth or contraction it reflects. On another front...
Nearly a year after the initial optimism surrounding Joseph Aoun’s election as president and Nawaf Salam’s appointment as prime minister faded in the face of Lebanon’s realities, the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) ended the year stronger than it began, reflecting improved private-sector sentiment.At 51.2 points in December 2025, the PMI lost a tenth of a point compared to its November reading, but it remained higher than the 50.6 points seen in January of the same year.The PMI is compiled from surveys of purchasing managers at 400 local firms, following an internationally validated model and methodology. A PMI below 50 points indicates a contraction in activity, while a PMI above 50 points signals an expansion. The greater the month-to-month change in the PMI, the stronger the growth or contraction it reflects. On another...
Israel, Lebanon agree to implement cease-fire, boosting hopes for Iran deal