Purchasing Managers’ Index

As per the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for India, India’s manufacturing activity grew at a slower pace in the country in March 2022 compared to February.

What does the data suggests?

• As per data released by S&P Global, Manufacturing PMI was 54 in March, falling from 54.9 in February.
  • • A figure of above 50 print signals expansion in manufacturing activity.
    • The greater the number is above 50, the stronger the expansion in activity.

Who releases the index?

• Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for India is released by S&P Global – a global major in financial information and analytics.
• Earlier PMI data is India was released by IHS Markit before its merger with S&P.

What is PMI?

• It is an economic indicator that is calculated from monthly surveys of purchasing managers and supply executives from specific companies.
• PMI Manufacturing gives an indication of the economic health of the manufacturing sector. The most followed PMI readings come from Markit and Institute of Supply Management.

How is it calculated?

• To arrive at PMI, a questionnaire seeking factual information on variables such as new orders, output, employment, supplier deliveries, inventories, new export orders and prices are sent to purchasing managers of business enterprises and they are asked if these factors are above or below the level of the previous month.
• It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index too is constructed.

How does one read the PMI?

• A figure above 50 denotes an expansion while anything below 50 denotes a contraction in activity. The higher the difference from this mid-point of 50, greater the expansion or contraction.
• Also, the rate of expansion can be judged by comparing the PMI with that of the previous month reading.
• If the latest figure is higher than previous month’s, then manufacturing or services is expanding at a faster rate. If it is lower than previous month, then it is growing at lower rate.

Why is it important?

• The PMI is becoming one of the most tracked indicators of business activity across the world. It provides a reliable expectation of how an economy is doing as a whole — and manufacturing in particular.
• It is a good gauge of boom and bust cycles in the economy and closely watched by investors, business, traders and financial professionals besides economists.
• Also, the PMI, which is usually released at the start of the month, serves as a leading indicator of economic activity. It comes before the official data on industrial output, core sector manufacturing and GDP growth.
• Even central banks use the PMI to take decisions on interest rates.
• Besides influencing equity market movements, PMI releases also impact bond and currency markets. Since manufacturing sector is often where recessions begin and end, PMI manufacturing is always closely watched.
• A good reading of PMI enhances the attractiveness of an economy vis-a-vis other competing economies. Suppliers can decide on prices depending on PMI movements.