Scottish private sector output rose at an accelerated pace in February, according to the latest Royal Bank of Scotland Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) report from IHS Markit.
Manufacturing output returned to growth, while services activity rose at a quicker pace.
The rate of cost inflation was the steepest on record, with respondents citing greater fuel, material, energy and staff costs.
As a result, firms raised their average charged at the quickest rate in the series history.
The seasonally adjusted headline Royal Bank of Scotland Business Activity Index — a measure of combined manufacturing and service sector output — rose to 55.5 in February, from 53.7 in January, to signal the fastest rate of expansion for three months and one that was sharp overall.
“An eleventh straight monthly increase in new business to Scottish private sector companies was recorded in February, amid reports that demand had improved due to the easing of pandemic restrictions,” said the report.
“The latest uplift in new work was the strongest for three months and solid overall.
“At the sector level, manufacturing order book volumes rebounded, while services firms recorded a quicker uplift in new work.”
The rate of expansion in Scotland continued to lag the UK-wide trend, however.
Scottish private sector firms recorded a further increase in staffing levels during February, stretching the current sequence of hiring to nearly a year.
“According to panellists, firms were taking on additional staff due to strong sales and amid efforts to raise capacity back to pre-pandemic levels,” said the report.
“The rate of job creation was the sharpest for three months and amongst the quickest on record.
“Scotland recorded a much slower increase in workforce numbers than the UK-wide average in February, however.
“An eleventh successive monthly increase in the level of outstanding business at Scottish companies was recorded in February.
“Anecdotal evidence attributed the latest uplift to strong sales.
“The rate of backlog accumulation was the fastest since last October and solid overall.”
Malcolm Buchanan, Chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Business activity across Scotland’s private sector rose at the strongest pace for three months during February, as demand strengthened solidly amid the scaling back of COVID-19 restrictions.
“Manufacturing production rebounded, while Scottish service providers registered a faster upturn in activity.
“That said, the stronger performance was dampened slightly by unprecedented inflationary pressures in February.
“Firms continued to face surging energy, fuel, material and staff costs, which pushed the rate of cost inflation to a survey peak, and subsequently raised their own charges at a record pace.”