What is PMI?

PMI stands for the Purchasing Managers’ Index. Purchasing managers have insight and data on the health of various manufacturing spending, deliverables, orders and general supply and demand for manufactured goods and services. As such, they are identified and surveyed by two main groups: Markit and Ifo Institute for Economic Research. Markit releases a calendar for PMI tracking: PMI Calendar. PMI is used by investors to detect early signs of an economic slowdown nationally, regionally or globally. Changes in employment, new orders, inventories, and delivery management supply early insights to manufacturing productivity and growth.