Georgia manufacturing’s new orders and production drove the Georgia PMI 9 points above its 6 month average, according to the Purchasing Managers Index released by Kennesaw State University’s Econometric Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business.
 
March’s PMI of 66.7 is a 5.1 point jump from February’s reading of 61.6, once again related to strong improvement in new orders and a high level of production. New orders increased 5.4 points to 73.8 and production decreased 0.1 points to 76.2. Employment increased 6.9 points to 59.5. Supplier delivery also increased 12.2 points to 59.5, which means there is a slowdown in delivery due to increased demands.
 
It’s still not clear if this level of activity is sustainable over a longer period of time. As noted last month, new orders and production tend to be the most volatile from month to month, in addition, readings above 70 tend to be less sustainable in the long term, according to Don Sabbarese, director emeritus of the Econometric Center and professor of economics at Kennesaw State University.
 
The National PMI reading of 51.8 is an increase of 2.3 points for March. The National report identified  12 industries expanding versus 9 of 18 industries in February.  March was the first month dating back to October 2015 for a reading above 50.
 
Summary of highlights from the March PMI:

New orders up 5.4 points to 73.8, 15 points above its six-month average

Production down 0.1 points to 76.2, 15.3 points above its six-month average

Employment up 6.9 points to 59.5 points, 5.5 points above its six-month average

Supplier delivery up 12.2 points to 59.5, 6.4 points above its six-month average

Finished inventory up 1.1 points to 64.3 points, 5.6 points above its six-month average

Commodity prices up 11 points to 45.2, 8.9 points above its six-month average