IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Inland Empire manufacturing had another strong month in April, posting its fourth consecutive month of growth despite concerns about the economy’s immediate future.
The region’s purchasing managers index last month was 63.5, a slight decline from March but still well above 50, the above/below number that determines whether manufacturing is expanding or contracting, according to the Institute of Applied Research and Policy Analysis at Cal State San Bernardino.
“This decrease aligns with broader national trends, yet the region continues to outperform the national figure (50.7), underscoring the Inland Empire’s relative strength in the manufacturing sector,” the report reads.
Production rose slightly during the fourth month of the year, to 69.6, the fourth consecutive month that number topped 50 and its highest number in two years. New orders – along with production one of the index’s most important elements – fell slightly to 71.7.
Thirty three point three percent of the purchasing managers surveyed said they expect the Inland economy to improve in the next three months, while 42.9 percent said they expect it to remain the same. Only 23.8 percent said they believe it will get weaker during that time, the institute reported.
