Purchasing Managers Index Dropped in April but Still Positive

Tempe, AZ, May 1, 2019-The April Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) registered 52.8%, a decrease of 2.5 percentage points from the March reading of 55.3%, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. 

The New Orders Index registered 51.7%, a decrease of 5.7 percentage points from the March reading of 57.4%. 

The Production Index registered 52.3%, a 3.5-percentage point decrease compared to the March reading of 55.8%. 

The Employment Index registered 52.4%, a decrease of 5.1 percentage points from the March reading of 57.5%. 

The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 54.6%, a 0.4-percentage point increase from the March reading of 54.2%. 

The Inventories Index registered 52.9%, an increase of 1.1 percentage points from the March reading of 51.8%. 

The Prices Index registered 50%, a 4.3-percentage point decrease from the March reading of 54.3%.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 13 reported growth in April, in the following order: textile mills; electrical equipment, appliances & components; miscellaneous manufacturing; printing & related support activities; chemical products; nonmetallic mineral products; plastics & rubber products; machinery; furniture & related products; food, beverage & tobacco products; computer & electronic products; paper products; and fabricated metal products. The five industries reporting contraction in April are apparel, leather & allied products; primary metals; wood products; petroleum & coal products; and transportation equipment.