World

Saudi non-oil output growth picks up despite regional disruption

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector expanded for a seventh consecutive month in October, with output growth accelerating, although input cost inflation reached its highest level since June. The Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by S&P Global, fell to 54 in October from 55.3 in September. It remained well above the neutral 50 threshold, which separates growth from contraction, and was the second-highest reading since February. Data was collected between Oct.