Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Resources
  • Investor Relations
  • Journalists
  • Agencies
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
Return to PR Newswire homepage
  • News
  • Products
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • All Public Company
      • English-only
      • News Releases Overview

      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
      • Multimedia Gallery Overview

      • Trending Topics

      • All Trending Topics
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • All Automotive & Transportation
      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • Auto & Transportation Overview

      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • All Business Technology
      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • Business Technology Overview

      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • All Entertain­ment & Media
      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • Entertain­ment & Media Overview

      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • All Financial Services & Investing
      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • Financial Services & Investing Overview

      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • All General Business
      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • General Business Overview

      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • All Consumer Technology
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • Consumer Technology Overview

      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • All Energy
      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • Energy & Natural Resources Overview

      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • All Environ­ment
      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • Environ­ment Overview

      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing Overview

      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • All Telecomm­unications
      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • Telecomm­unications Overview

      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • All Consumer Products & Retail
      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • Consumer Products & Retail Overview

      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • All Entertain­ment & Media
      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • Entertain­ment & Media Overview

      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • All Health
      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • Health Overview

      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • All Sports
      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • Sports Overview

      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • All Travel
      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • Travel Overview

      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • All Policy & Public Interest
      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • Policy & Public Interest Overview

      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • All People & Culture
      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • People & Culture Overview

      • View All People & Culture

      • In-Language News

      • Arabic
      • español
      • português
      • Česko
      • Danmark
      • Deutschland
      • España
      • France
      • Italia
      • Nederland
      • Norge
      • Polska
      • Portugal
      • Россия
      • Slovensko
      • Suomi
      • Sverige
  • Explore Our Platform
  • Plan Campaigns
  • Create with AI
  • Distribute Press Releases
  • Amplify Content
  • All Products
  • General Inquiries
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • Media Inquiries
  • Worldwide Offices
  • Hamburger menu
  • PR Newswire: news distribution, targeting and monitoring
  • Send a Release
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us

      888-776-0942
      from 8 AM - 10 PM ET

  • Send a Release
  • Client Login
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • RSS
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
    • Trending Topics
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Client Login
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • RSS
  • Explore Our Platform
  • Plan Campaigns
  • Create with AI
  • Distribute Press Releases
  • Amplify Content
  • All Products
  • Send a Release
  • Client Login
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • RSS
  • General Inquiries
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • Media Inquiries
  • Worldwide Offices
  • Send a Release
  • Client Login
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • RSS

Manufacturing PMI® at 52.7%; March 2026 ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report

Institute for Supply Management logo. (PRNewsFoto/Institute for Supply Management) (PRNewsfoto/Institute for Supply Management)

News provided by

Institute for Supply Management

Apr 01, 2026, 10:00 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

New Orders Growing; Production Growing; Employment Contracting; Supplier Deliveries Slowing; Raw Materials Inventories Contracting; Customers' Inventories Too Low; Prices Increasing; Imports Growing; Exports Contracting

TEMPE, Ariz., April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in March for the third consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report.

The report was issued today by Susan Spence, MBA, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

"The Manufacturing PMI® registered 52.7 percent in March, a 0.3-percentage point increase compared to the reading of 52.4 percent in February. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 17th month in a row. (A Manufacturing PMI® above 47.5 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.) The New Orders Index expanded for the third straight month after four straight readings in contraction, registering 53.5 percent, down 2.3 percentage points compared to February's figure of 55.8 percent. The March reading of the Production Index (55.1 percent) is 1.6 percentage points higher than February's reading of 53.5 percent. The Prices Index remained in expansion (or 'increasing' territory), registering 78.3 percent, a 7.8-percentage point jump from February's reading of 70.5 percent. In the last two months, the Prices Index has increased19.3 percentage points to reach its highest level since a reading of 78.5 percent in June 2022. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 54.4 percent, down 2.2 percentage points compared to the 56.6 percent recorded in February. The Employment Index registered 48.7 percent, down 0.1 percentage point from February's figure of 48.7 percent," says Spence.

"The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated a further slowing for the fourth month in a row after one month in 'faster' territory. The reading of 58.9 percent is up 3.8 percentage points from the 55.1 percent recorded in February. (Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM® PMI® Reports index that is inversed; a reading of above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.)

"The Inventories Index registered 47.1 percent, down 1.7 percentage points compared to February's reading of 48.8 percent. The Customers' Inventories Index reading of 40.1 percent is a 1.3-percentage point increase compared to February.

"The New Export Orders Index reading of 49.9 percent is 0.4 percentage point lower than the reading of 50.3 percent registered in February and marks a return of this subindex to contraction territory. The Imports Index registered 52.6 percent, 2.3 percentage points lower than February's reading of 54.9 percent."

Spence continues, "In March, U.S. manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory, growing at a slightly faster pace than the month before. Of the five subindexes that make up the PMI®, the New Orders Index indicated slower growth compared to the previous month, the Production Index grew at a faster rate, and the Employment and Inventories indexes remained in contraction. This month also marks the first report with panelists citing the Iran war as a new impact to their business, along with ongoing uncertainty with U.S. economic policy, despite the recent Supreme Court ruling striking down International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs. In March, 64 percent of comments overall were negative. Among the negative comments, about 20 percent cited tariffs and about 40 percent the war in the Middle East. (Some panelists referenced both topics within a single comment or in mixed sentiment.)

"Two demand indicators (the New Orders and Backlog of Orders indexes) are in expansion, the New Export Orders Index returned to contraction, and the Customers' Inventories Index remains in 'too low' territory, contracting at a slightly slower rate. A 'too low' status for the Customers' Inventories Index is usually considered positive for future production.

"Regarding output, the Production Index is in expansion for the fifth month in a row, and the Employment Index decreased by 0.1-percentage point and remains in contraction. Among panelists, 55 percent indicated that managing head counts remains the norm at their companies, as opposed to hiring.

"Finally, inputs (defined as supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and imports) had mixed results. The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated increasingly slowing deliveries, the Inventories Index contracted at a faster rate, and the Prices Index took another big leap — to 78.3 percent, from 70.5 percent in February. The Imports Index lost 2.3 percentage points for a reading of 52.6 percent, compared to 54.9 percent in February.

"Looking at the manufacturing economy, 16 percent of the sector's gross domestic product (GDP) contracted in March, compared to 21 percent in February, and the percentage of manufacturing GDP in strong contraction (defined as a composite PMI® of 45 percent or lower) increased to 4 percent, compared to 1 percent in February. The share of sector GDP with a PMI® at or below 45 percent is a good metric to gauge overall manufacturing weakness. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four (Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Chemical Products) expanded in March," says Spence.

The 13 manufacturing industries reporting growth in March — listed in order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Textile Mills; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Paper Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Wood Products; and Chemical Products. The three industries reporting contraction in March are: Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING

  • "This is expected to be a transition year for the U.S. trucking market, with gradual stabilization driven by capacity tightening and replacement demand instead of growth. Demand should stay constrained by weak carrier profitability and high equipment costs but improve modestly late in the year." [Transportation Equipment]
  • "Changes in the tariff structure are bringing cautious opportunities to offset significant costs for the balance of 2026. The actions in Iran, however, add a new wrinkle to energy costs throughout the world, including India. We continue to try and plan for the unpredictable and unexpected." [Transportation Equipment]
  • "We're seeing steady increases in activity, but geopolitical issues and the Iran war are already waning sentiment." [Fabricated Metal Products]
  • "Customer orders have increased considerably as the construction market remains strong, resulting in higher production volume and increased forecasts to suppliers." [Machinery]
  • "Current Middle East unrest is already starting to impact business operations by increasing lead times, costs, container delays and the like." [Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products]
  • "Lots of relief from Supreme Court striking down (emergency) tariffs, particularly with organic cane sugar from Brazil." [Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products]
  • "Geopolitical tensions related to the conflict in Iran are contributing to rising manufacturing supply costs, and ongoing tariff uncertainty is negatively impacting purchasing strategies and cost forecasts." [Chemical Products]
  • "Ongoing geopolitical instability has emerged as a persistent factor influencing global trade dynamics. We anticipate strategic realignment of supply chains as organizations respond to energy market volatility and shifting trade policies. In light of these macroeconomic headwinds, we — like most organizations — are maintaining a cautious posture regarding investment commitments while continuing to monitor market conditions closely. Our purchasing strategy is being recalibrated to address supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by energy market volatility and evolving trade protectionism." [Chemical Products]
  • "Metal commodity prices continue to put pressure on mechanical commodities. Memory price escalation is causing large cost increases that cannot be mitigated in other areas of the product cost." [Computer & Electronic Products]
  • "The Middle East war has created domestic and global turmoil for the olefins and polyolefins business. Feedstocks and finished product pricing are accelerating dramatically as Middle Eastern and Asian producers suffer from shipping blockages. Global customers for packaging resins are scrambling to cover needs from North America and South America in the face of supply chain complications." [Plastics & Rubber Products]

MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE
March 2026

Index

Series
Index
Mar

Series
Index
Feb

Percentage
Point
Change

Direction

Rate of
Change

Trend*
(Months)

Manufacturing PMI®

52.7

52.4

+0.3

Growing

Faster

3

New Orders

53.5

55.8

-2.3

Growing

Slower

3

Production

55.1

53.5

+1.6

Growing

Faster

5

Employment

48.7

48.8

-0.1

Contracting

Faster

30

Supplier Deliveries

58.9

55.1

+3.8

Slowing

Faster

4

Inventories

47.1

48.8

-1.7

Contracting

Faster

11

Customers' Inventories

40.1

38.8

+1.3

Too Low

Slower

18

Prices

78.3

70.5

+7.8

Increasing

Faster

18

Backlog of Orders

54.4

56.6

-2.2

Growing

Slower

3

New Export Orders

49.9

50.3

-0.4

Contracting

From Growing

1

Imports

52.6

54.9

-2.3

Growing

Slower

2

OVERALL ECONOMY

Growing

Faster

17

Manufacturing Sector

Growing

Faster

3

ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report data is seasonally adjusted for the New Orders, Production,
Employment and Inventories indexes.
*Number of months moving in current direction.

COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY

Commodities Up in Price
Aluminum (28); Chemical Products; Cooking Fats; Copper (9); Copper Based Products (4); Corn; Diesel Fuel; Electronic Components (3); Freight; Fuel; Memory Components; Methanol; Natural Gas (2); Plastics; Polypropylene (2); Precious Metals (3); Resins (2); Soybean Products; Steel (5); Steel — Hot Rolled (3); Steel — Stainless (2); Steel Products (4); Titanium Dioxide; and Tungsten Products (2).

Commodities Down in Price
None.

Commodities in Short Supply
Bearing Components; Electrical Components (9); Electronic Components (13); Memory (3); Rare Earth Components (5); and Semiconductors.

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.

MARCH 2026 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

Manufacturing PMI®
The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in March for the third straight month following a 10-month period of contraction, registering 52.7 percent, a 0.3-percentage point increase compared to February's reading of 52.4 percent. Of the five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI®, three (New Orders, Production and Supplier Deliveries) were in expansion territory, the same as in February. The Employment and Inventories indexes stayed in contraction, and both declined compared to February. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four (Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Chemical Products) expanded in March," says Spence. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing sector is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.

A Manufacturing PMI® above 47.5 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the March Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy grew for the 17th straight month. "The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the March reading (52.7 percent) corresponds to a 1.8-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis," says Spence.

THE LAST 12 MONTHS

Month

Manufacturing
PMI®

Month

Manufacturing
PMI®

Mar 2026

52.7

Sep 2025

48.9

Feb 2026

52.4

Aug 2025

48.9

Jan 2026

52.6

Jul 2025

48.4

Dec 2025

47.9

Jun 2025

49.0

Nov 2025

48.0

May 2025

48.6

Oct 2025

48.8

Apr 2025

48.8

Average for 12 months – 49.6
High – 52.7
Low – 47.9

New Orders
ISM®'s New Orders Index expanded in March with a reading of 53.5 percent, a decrease of 2.3 percentage points compared to February's reading of 55.8 percent. "Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four (Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Chemical Products) reported increased new orders. Demand sentiment was mixed, with a 1-to-1 ratio of positive to negative comments in March, a marked decrease from last month where there were two positive comments for every negative one," says Spence. A New Orders Index above 51.9 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau's series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

The 11 manufacturing industries that reported growth in new orders in March, in order, are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Transportation Equipment; Wood Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The three industries reporting a decline in new orders in March are: Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.

New Orders

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Mar 2026

29.1

56.3

14.6

+14.5

53.5

Feb 2026

30.3

56.9

12.8

+17.5

55.8

Jan 2026

31.4

51.0

17.6

+13.8

57.1

Dec 2025

18.2

50.3

31.5

-13.3

47.4

Production
The Production Index expanded in March for the fifth month in a row, registering 55.1 percent, a 1.6-percentage point increase compared to February's reading of 53.5 percent. "Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four (Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Chemical Products) reported increased production. Panelists had a 2-to-1 ratio of positive to negative comments regarding output," says Spence. An index above 52 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board's Industrial Production figures.

The 10 industries reporting growth in production during the month of March — listed in order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products. The four industries reporting a decrease in production in March are: Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Plastics & Rubber Products.

Production

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Mar 2026

24.5

62.8

12.7

+11.8

55.1

Feb 2026

25.2

58.8

16.0

+9.2

53.5

Jan 2026

25.7

58.8

15.5

+10.2

55.9

Dec 2025

19.0

55.1

25.9

-6.9

50.7

Employment
ISM®'s Employment Index registered 48.7 percent in March, 0.1 percentage point lower than February's reading of 48.8 percent. "The index posted its 30th consecutive month of contraction after expanding in September 2023. Since January 2023, the Employment Index has contracted in 38 of 39 months. Of the six big manufacturing industries, two (Transportation Equipment; and Machinery) reported higher levels of employment in March. For every comment on hiring, there was 1.2 on reducing head counts," says Spence. An Employment Index above 50.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, seven reported employment growth in March in the following order: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Primary Metals; Machinery; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The eight industries reporting a decrease in employment in March, in the following order, are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Textile Mills.

Employment

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Mar 2026

14.2

70.8

15.0

-0.8

48.7

Feb 2026

18.8

60.8

20.4

-1.6

48.8

Jan 2026

13.7

68.0

18.3

-4.6

48.1

Dec 2025

9.0

69.9

21.1

-12.1

44.8

Supplier Deliveries†
Delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in March for the fourth consecutive month after one month of faster deliveries. "The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 58.9 percent, a 3.8-percentage point increase compared to the reading of 55.1 percent reported in February. Of the six big industries, five (Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Machinery) reported slower supplier deliveries," says Spence. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The 13 manufacturing industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in March, in order, are: Textile Mills; Paper Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. No industry reported faster deliveries in March.

Supplier Deliveries

%Slower

%Same

%Faster

Net

Index

Mar 2026

19.5

78.8

1.7

+17.8

58.9

Feb 2026

14.0

82.2

3.8

+10.2

55.1

Jan 2026

12.7

83.3

4.0

+8.7

54.4

Dec 2025

10.4

80.8

8.8

+1.6

50.8

Inventories
The Inventories Index registered 47.1 percent in March, down 1.7 percentage points compared to the reading of 48.8 percent in February. "None of the six big industries expanded inventories in March," says Spence. An Inventories Index greater than 44.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

Of 18 manufacturing industries, the four reporting higher inventories in March are: Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Furniture & Related Products. The seven industries reporting lower inventories in March — listed in order — are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products. Seven industries reported no change in inventories in March as compared to February.

Inventories

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Mar 2026

16.7

64.3

19.0

-2.3

47.1

Feb 2026

14.2

71.8

14.0

+0.2

48.8

Jan 2026

14.0

66.4

19.6

-5.6

47.6

Dec 2025

10.3

65.9

23.8

-13.5

45.7

Customers' Inventories†
ISM®'s Customers' Inventories Index remained in "too low" territory in March with reading of 40.1 percent, an increase of 1.3 percentage points compared to the 38.8 percent reported in February but still the third lowest since August 2022. (For more information about the Customers' Inventories Index, see the "Data and Method of Presentation" section below.)

The two industries that reported customers' inventories as too high in March are: Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The 12 industries reporting customers' inventories as too low in March, in order, are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; Chemical Products; and Wood Products.

Customers'
Inventories

%
Reporting

%Too
High

%About
Right

%Too
Low

Net

Index

Mar 2026

74

6.9

66.3

26.8

-19.9

40.1

Feb 2026

76

5.7

66.1

28.2

-22.5

38.8

Jan 2026

69

5.5

66.3

28.2

-22.7

38.7

Dec 2025

76

11.3

64.0

24.7

-13.4

43.3

Prices†
The ISM® Prices Index registered 78.3 percent in March, an increase of 7.8 percentage points over its February reading of 70.5 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased for the 18th straight month. The Prices Index has risen 19.3 percentage points in the last two months to hit its highest reading since June 2022 (78.5 percent). All the six largest manufacturing industries — Petroleum & Coal Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products, in that order — reported price increases in March. "The Prices Index reading continues to be driven by (1) increases in steel and aluminum prices that impact the entire value chain, (2) tariffs applied to many imported goods and now (3) increases in petroleum-based products as a result of the recent Middle East conflict. Higher prices were reported by 59.4 percent of respondents in March, up 14 percentage points from February's 45.4 percent and the highest share since June 2022 (65.2 percent)," says Spence. A Prices Index above 52.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

In March, the 17 industries that reported paying increased prices for raw materials, in order, are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Textile Mills; Primary Metals; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Wood Products. The only industry that reported paying decreased prices for raw materials in March was Printing & Related Support Activities.

Prices

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Mar 2026

59.4

37.8

2.8

+56.6

78.3

Feb 2026

45.4

50.2

4.4

+41.0

70.5

Jan 2026

29.0

59.9

11.1

+17.9

59.0

Dec 2025

26.4

64.1

9.5

+16.9

58.5

Backlog of Orders†
ISM®'s Backlog of Orders Index registered 54.4 percent in March, a decrease of 2.2 percentage points compared to the February reading of 56.6 percent. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, two (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) reported expansion in order backlogs in March.

The 10 industries reporting higher backlogs in March — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The two industries reporting lower backlogs in March are: Furniture & Related Products; and Machinery. Six industries reported no change in backlog of orders in March as compared to February.

Backlog of
Orders

%
Reporting

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Mar 2026

90

24.6

59.6

15.8

+8.8

54.4

Feb 2026

90

26.8

59.5

13.7

+13.1

56.6

Jan 2026

90

22.2

58.8

19.0

+3.2

51.6

Dec 2025

90

17.2

57.1

25.7

-8.5

45.8

New Export Orders†
ISM®'s New Export Orders Index returned to contraction in March, registering 49.9 percent, down 0.4 percentage point from February's reading of 50.3 percent. "Trade frictions still are a major concern. For every positive comment on exports, there was a negative comment," says Spence.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the four that reported growth in new export orders in March are: Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Machinery. The 10 industries that reported a decrease in new export orders in March — in the following order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Furniture & Related Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.

New Export
Orders

%
Reporting

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Mar 2026

74

12.1

75.5

12.4

-0.3

49.9

Feb 2026

74

9.2

82.2

8.6

+0.6

50.3

Jan 2026

73

11.5

77.3

11.2

+0.3

50.2

Dec 2025

75

10.6

72.3

17.1

-6.5

46.8

Imports†
ISM®'s Imports Index decreased in March to 52.6 percent, a 2.3-percentage point drop compared to February's reading of 54.9 percent.

The nine industries reporting higher imports in March — in the following order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Computer & Electronic Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The five industries that reported lower volumes in March are: Textile Mills; Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; and Machinery.

Imports

%
Reporting

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Mar 2026

87

15.1

75.0

9.9

+5.2

52.6

Feb 2026

87

15.8

78.1

6.1

+9.7

54.9

Jan 2026

85

11.3

77.4

11.3

0.0

50.0

Dec 2025

84

9.5

70.1

20.4

-10.9

44.6

†The Supplier Deliveries, Customers' Inventories, Prices, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, and Imports indexes do not meet the accepted criteria for seasonal adjustments.

Buying Policy
The average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures in March was 170 days, a decrease of nine days compared to February. The average lead time in March for Production Materials was 82 days, an increase of three days compared to February. The average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies was 44 days, a decrease of two days compared to February.

Percent Reporting

Capital
Expenditures

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Mar 2026

17

3

10

12

32

26

170

Feb 2026

18

3

7

14

27

31

179

Jan 2026

18

5

9

10

30

28

172

Dec 2025

16

4

9

12

30

29

177

Percent Reporting

Production
Materials

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Mar 2026

8

26

27

26

7

6

82

Feb 2026

9

25

26

26

10

4

79

Jan 2026

8

26

26

27

9

4

79

Dec 2025

9

25

31

22

9

4

77

Percent Reporting

MRO Supplies

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Mar 2026

29

38

15

13

4

1

44

Feb 2026

29

37

18

11

3

2

46

Jan 2026

31

37

15

12

5

0

41

Dec 2025

29

36

17

11

5

2

49

About This Report
DO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report's information reflects the entire U.S., while the regional reports contain primarily regional data from their local vicinities. Also, the information in the regional reports is not used in calculating the results of the national report. The information compiled in this report is for the month of March 2026.

The data presented herein is obtained from a survey of manufacturing supply executives based on information they have collected within their respective organizations. ISM® makes no representation, other than that stated within this release, regarding the individual company data collection procedures. The data should be compared to all other economic data sources when used in decision-making.

Data and Method of Presentation
The ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report is based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives nationwide. The composition of the Manufacturing Business Survey Panel is stratified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and each of the following NAICS-based industries' contribution to gross domestic product (GDP): Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing (products such as medical equipment and supplies, jewelry, sporting goods, toys and office supplies). The data are weighted based on each industry's contribution to GDP. According to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) estimates (the average of the fourth quarter 2024 GDP estimate and the GDP estimates for first, second, and third quarter 2025, as released on January 22, 2026), the six largest manufacturing industries are: Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Petroleum & Coal Products.

Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month. For nine indicators (New Orders, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, Imports, Production, Supplier Deliveries, Inventories, Employment, and Prices), this report shows the percentage reporting each response, the net difference between the number of responses in the positive economic direction (higher, better and slower for Supplier Deliveries) and the negative economic direction (lower, worse and faster for Supplier Deliveries), and the diffusion index. For Customers' Inventories, respondents report their assessment of their customers' stock levels of respondent companies' products this month (rather than last month): too high, about right, and too low. Responses are raw data and are never changed. The diffusion index includes the percent of positive responses plus one-half of those responding the same (considered positive).

The resulting single index number for those meeting the criteria for seasonal adjustments (Manufacturing PMI®, New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories) is then seasonally adjusted to allow for the effects of repetitive intra-year variations resulting primarily from normal differences in weather conditions, various institutional arrangements, and differences attributable to non-moveable holidays. All seasonal adjustment factors are subject annually to relatively minor changes when conditions warrant them. The Manufacturing PMI® is a composite index based on the diffusion indexes of five of the indexes with equal weights: New Orders (seasonally adjusted), Production (seasonally adjusted), Employment (seasonally adjusted), Supplier Deliveries, and Inventories (seasonally adjusted).

Diffusion indexes have the properties of leading indicators and are convenient summary measures showing the prevailing direction of change and the scope of change. A Manufacturing PMI® reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. A Manufacturing PMI® above 47.5 percent, over a period of time, indicates that the overall economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), is generally expanding; below 47.5 percent, it is generally declining. The distance from 50 percent or 47.5 percent is indicative of the extent of the expansion or decline. With some of the indicators within this report, ISM® has indicated the departure point between expansion and decline of comparable government series, as determined by regression analysis. For the Customers' Inventories Index, numerically, a reading: above 50 percent is "too high," equal to 50 percent is "about right," and below 50 percent is "too low." However, in practice and in the context of other data, customers' inventories may be considered to be "about right" if the diffusion index is between 52 percent (the high side of about right) and 48 percent (the low side of about right).

The ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report survey is sent out to Manufacturing Business Survey Panel respondents the first part of each month. Respondents are asked to report on information for the current month for U.S. operations only. ISM® receives survey responses throughout most of any given month, with the majority of respondents generally waiting until late in the month to submit responses to give the most accurate picture of current business activity. ISM® then compiles the report for release on the first business day of the following month.

The industries reporting growth, as indicated in the ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report, are listed in the order of most growth to least growth. For the industries reporting contraction or decreases, those are listed in the order of the highest level of contraction/decrease to the least level of contraction/decrease.

Responses to Buying Policy reflect the percent reporting the current month's lead time, the approximate weighted number of days ahead for which commitments are made for Capital Expenditures; Production Materials; and Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies, expressed as hand-to-mouth (five days), 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months (180 days), a year or more (360 days), and the weighted average number of days. These responses are raw data, never revised, and not seasonally adjusted.

ISM PMI® Content

The Institute for Supply Management® ("ISM®") PMI® Reports, formerly Report On Business®, (Manufacturing and Services reports) ("ISM PMI®") contain information, text, files, images, video, sounds, musical works, works of authorship, applications, and any other materials or content (collectively, "Content") of ISM ("ISM PMI® Content"). ISM PMI® Content is protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, and other laws, and as between you and ISM, ISM owns and retains all rights in the ISM PMI® Content. ISM hereby grants you a limited, revocable, nonsublicensable license to access and display on your individual device the ISM PMI® Content (excluding any software code) solely for your personal, non-commercial use. The ISM PMI® Content shall also contain Content of users and other ISM licensors. Except as provided herein or as explicitly allowed in writing by ISM, you shall not copy, download, stream, capture, reproduce, duplicate, archive, upload, modify, translate, publish, broadcast, transmit, retransmit, distribute, perform, display, sell, or otherwise use any ISM PMI® Content.

Except as explicitly and expressly permitted by ISM, you are strictly prohibited from creating works or materials (including but not limited to tables, charts, data streams, time-series variables, fonts, icons, link buttons, wallpaper, desktop themes, online postcards, montages, mashups and similar videos, greeting cards, and unlicensed merchandise) that derive from or are based on the ISM PMI® Content. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the derivative works or materials are sold, bartered, or given away. You shall not either directly or through the use of any device, software, internet site, web-based service, or other means remove, alter, bypass, avoid, interfere with, or circumvent any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices marked on the Content or any digital rights management mechanism, device, or other content protection or access control measure associated with the Content including geo-filtering mechanisms. Without prior written authorization from ISM, you shall not build a business utilizing the Content, whether or not for profit.

You shall not create, recreate, distribute, incorporate in other work, or advertise an index of any portion of the Content unless you receive prior written authorization from ISM. Requests for permission to reproduce or distribute ISM PMI® Content can be made by contacting in writing at: ISM Research, Institute for Supply Management, 309 West Elliot Road, Suite 113, Tempe, Arizona 85284-1556, or by emailing [email protected]. Subject: Content Request.

ISM shall not have any liability, duty, or obligation for or relating to the ISM PMI® Content or other information contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in providing any ISM PMI® Content or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. In no event shall ISM be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the ISM PMI®. Report On Business®, PMI®, Manufacturing PMI® and Services PMI® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management®. Institute for Supply Management® and ISM® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management, Inc.

About Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®)

Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) is the first and leading not-for-profit professional supply management organization worldwide. Its community of more than 50,000 in more than 100 countries around the world manage about US$1 trillion in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually. Founded in 1915 by practitioners, ISM is committed to advancing the strategy and practice of integrated, end-to-end supply chain management through leading edge data-driven resources, community, and education to empower individuals, create organizational value and to drive competitive advantage. ISM's vision is to foster a prosperous, sustainable world. ISM empowers and leads the profession through the ISM® PMI® Reports (formerly Report On Business®), its highly regarded certification and training programs, corporate services, events and assessments. The ISM® PMI® Reports — Manufacturing and Services — are two of the most reliable economic indicators available, providing guidance to supply management professionals, economists, analysts, and government and business leaders. For more information, please visit: www.ismworld.org.

The full text version of the ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report is posted on ISM®'s website at www.ismrob.org on the first business day* of every month after 10:00 a.m. ET. The one exception is in January when the report is released on the second business day of the month.

The next ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report featuring April 2026 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, May 1, 2026.

*Unless the New York Stock Exchange is closed.

Contact:

Kristina Cahill


PMI® Reports Analyst


ISM®, PMI®/Research Manager


Tempe, Arizona


+1 480.455.5910


Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Institute for Supply Management

21%

more press release views with 
Request a Demo

Modal title

Also from this source

Institute for Supply Management® Honors 2025 ISM® 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars

Institute for Supply Management® Honors 2025 ISM® 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars

Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) announced the winners of its 2025 ISM® 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars Recognition Program, honoring 30 ...

Services PMI® at 56.1%; February 2026 ISM® Services PMI® Report

Services PMI® at 56.1%; February 2026 ISM® Services PMI® Report

Economic activity in the services sector continued to expand in February, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest ISM®...

More Releases From This Source

Explore

Computer & Electronics

Computer & Electronics

Education

Education

Health Care & Hospitals

Health Care & Hospitals

Hotels and Resorts

Hotels and Resorts

News Releases in Similar Topics

Contact PR Newswire

  • Call PR Newswire at 888-776-0942
    from 8 AM - 9 PM ET
  • Chat with an Expert
  • General Inquiries
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • Media Inquiries
  • Worldwide Offices

Products

  • For Marketers
  • For Public Relations
  • For IR & Compliance
  • For Agency
  • All Products

About

  • About PR Newswire
  • About Cision
  • Become a Publishing Partner
  • Become a Channel Partner
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
  • APAC
  • APAC - Simplified Chinese
  • APAC - Traditional Chinese
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Czech
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Middle East - Arabic
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United Kingdom
  • Vietnam

My Services

  • All New Releases
  • Platform Login
  • ProfNet
  • Data Privacy

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact PR Newswire

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Platform Login
  • ProfNet
Call PR Newswire at
888-776-0942
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Information Security Policy
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookies
Copyright © 2026 Cision US Inc.