The S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI was unchanged at 52.3 in March 2026, coming in just below the preliminary estimate of 52.4 but up from 51.6 in February. This level indicates solid expansion in the manufacturing sector, supported by stronger output and an increase in new orders, particularly from domestic customers, as firms built up inventories and locked in prices amid the conflict in the Middle East.
In contrast, international sales continued to fall, weighed down by tariffs and ongoing shipping disruptions. Employment was broadly unchanged, while supplier delivery times lengthened to the greatest extent in three and a half years, reflecting war-related transport bottlenecks and shortages at vendors.
Cost pressures strengthened, with input price inflation climbing to its highest rate since August 2025 and output charges rising at the fastest pace in seven months. Business confidence eased slightly as companies voiced concerns about escalating energy costs and the impact of tariffs.
