Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index drops sharply in January to 50
The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for January is 50, down from 64.2 in December, representing a nearly 15 point drop.
"Since a PMI Index value above 50 indicates and expanding economy, January’s finish of a PMI exactly at 50 indicates that the economy is level with the previous month, neither expanding or retracting," Timothy Butler, associate professor of supply chain management at Wayne State’s School of Business, who interpreted this month’s results. "It’s important to realize that even though the PMI index declined, the economy maintained relative stability compared to the prior month, with the three month average at 57."
Index values contributing to January’s PMI include New Orders, declining from 66.7 to 48.3, Production, down from 62.5 to 51.7, as well as Finished Goods, dropping from 58.3 to 44.8, and Employment falling from 70 to 51.7.
Butler also pointed out that respondents remain optimistic about the economy as eighty-six percent expect the economy to remain the same or improve over the next six months, while just twenty-one percent believe the economy will become less stable.
The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) is a research partnership between Wayne State University’s School of Business Administration and the Institute for Supply Management – Southeast Michigan.
