Over this same period, the National PMI declined to its current level of 51.5. These diverging patterns left the Southeast PMI 6.5 points higher than its national counterpart at 58.

 The Southeast decrease was primarily fueled by weaker readings for new orders, production and employment, which decreased 6.6, 2.9 and 9.2 points, respectively. That said, the March PMI suggests Southeast manufacturing is relatively strong.

“Given the Southeast’s outperformance of the national and other regional data, as well as February’s weaker industrial production, March’s lower PMI may be realigning with other related U.S. data,” said Don Sabbarese, director emeritus of the Econometric Center and professor of economics at Kennesaw State University.

Six Southeastern states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee — are included in the Econometric Center’s monthly regional report. Four of the six experienced higher PMI readings.

Highlights of the March Southeast PMI include:  

· New orders decreased 6.6 points to 56.9, based on decreases for Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and  Tennessee

· Production decreased 2.9 points to 61.8, based on decreases for Alabama, Florida and Tennessee

· Employment decreased 9.2 points to 57.8, based on decreases for all states except for Louisiana

· Supplier delivery time increased 1.2 points to 54.9, based on increases for Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee

· Finished inventory increased 5.2 points to 58.8 based on increases for Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi

· Commodity prices increased 4.8 points to 40.2, based on increases for Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi