IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
At least for now, Inland Empire manufacturing is in excellent shape.
The region’s purchasing managers index was 65.7 in March, up 5.7 month-over-month and the sixth consecutive month of expansion, according to the Institute of Applied Research and Policy Analysis at Cal State San Bernardino.
Manufacturing in Riverside and San Bernardino counties again outperformed the United States, which recorded a purchasing managers index of 49.
“This contrast underscores the Inland Empire’s relative economic strength and
resilience in manufacturing sector compared to the national level,” the report states.
Three consecutive months above or below 50 determines whether manufacturing is expanding or contracting.
In the two-county region, production and new orders – the index’s two most important components – were up during March, and the employment index rose to 67.9, indicating increased hiring.
The commodity price index dropped to 67.9, from 75.0, which suggests that the rate of input cost increases is slowing, the report states.
