ISM Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI®) for March 2026

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM®) released their Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI®) for March, 2026:

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Predicted: 55.0%

• Actual: 54.0%  (-2.1 points month-on-month change)

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Previous month (revised): 56.1%

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The NMI is a reliable barometer of the U.S. services sector; above 50% implies expansion, while a reading below 50% implies that the services sector contracted.

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From today' report:

"...Economic activity in the services sector continued to expand in March, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest ISM^® Services PMI^® Report. The Services PMI^® registered 54 percent, the 21st consecutive month in expansion territory..."

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Here's A Sampling Of Comments
Made By Survey Participants:

• "Tariff rollbacks are resulting in favorable price adjustments, but the news of new implementation is driving continued uncertainty. Snowstorms last month disrupted demand and supplier operations, mostly around the availability of labor. Forecasted seasonal growth is starting to materialize due to daylight savings time and higher temperatures.”
   [Accommodation & Food Services] 

• “Transportation disruptions in the Middle East are inhibiting both incoming and outgoing cargoes from the region. While force majeure has been received from several Middle Eastern suppliers, business operations are generally at normal levels and no interruptions, except shipping.”
   [Construction] 

• “We are still in cost cutting and operational streamlining mode as technology continues to advance. We have seen more concessions regarding passing through tariff surcharges. We continue to closely monitor the political situation in the Middle East and how ramifications could impact our supply chain and overall costs.”
   [Finance & Insurance] 

• “As we close out the first quarter, demand for AI computer infrastructure remains incredibly resilient. Customers have opened their 2026 capital budgets, leading to a strong refresh in new order intake. Operationally, our focus has shifted toward efficiency and margin protection.”
   [Information] 

• “Political uncertainty with Iran conflict has resulted in less international business. Domestic business remains consistent with January and February levels.”
   [Mining]

• “We’re seeing some expansion across the services economy with stronger business activity and new orders. Clients remain active on regulatory, tax planning, and risk management initiatives, though persistent pricing pressures and evolving economic conditions continue to shape project prioritization and budgeting.”
   [Professional, Scientific & Technical Services] 

• “The war in Iran has added an additional layer of uncertainty on top of an already shaky macroeconomic climate. A spike in inflation due to higher oil prices will reduce purchasing power, affecting every industry.”
   [Real Estate, Rental & Leasing] 

• “Recent increases in fuel prices are having a substantial impact on the airline industry, resulting in significantly higher operational costs compared to pricing from just one month ago.”
   [Transportation & Warehousing] 

• “Continued volatility in copper, aluminum and steel markets — driven by supply chain constraints and strong infrastructure demand — has increased costs and lead times for electric utility projects. These conditions are influencing purchasing strategies and capital planning across the industry.”
   [Utilities] 

• “The U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran have created significant uncertainty for our Omani frankincense imports. Threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and rising war-risk surcharges are pressuring regional logistics costs, even for air freight. Combined with the Supreme Court’s emergency tariffs ruling — which replaced our 10-percent tariff with a 15-percent Section 122 tariff — landed costs have increased materially. We are monitoring regional stability closely and maintaining communication with Omani suppliers.”
   [Wholesale Trade]
  

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• Click here to view the complete ISM report
  
  

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CHART: ISM Non-Manufacturing (Services) Index
(NMI®) MARCH 2026 Update

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ISM Manufacturing Index for MARCH 2026

The Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) released their Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI®) for March, 2026:

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Predicted: 52.1%

• Actual: 52.7% (+0.3 point month-on-month change)

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Previous month: 52.4%

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Every month, the ISM surveys purchasing and supply executives at hundreds of companies across the country who are involved in manufacturing in some form. The resulting index is watched closely by academics, economists and investors because manufacturing accounts for about 12% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The PMI is a reliable barometer of U.S. manufacturing: A PMI above 50% implies that U.S. manufacturing expanded during the month specified, while a reading below 50% implies that the made-in-the-USA sector contracted.

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From Today's Report:

"...Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in March for the third consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report..."

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The Following Is A Sampling Of Quotes
From A Diverse Pool Of U.S. Manufacturers:

•     “This is expected to be a transition year for the U.S. trucking market, with gradual stabilization driven by capacity tightening and replacement demand instead of growth. Demand should stay constrained by weak carrier profitability and high equipment costs but improve modestly late in the year.”
   [Transportation Equipment]
  

•     “Changes in the tariff structure are bringing cautious opportunities to offset significant costs for the balance of 2026. The actions in Iran, however, add a new wrinkle to energy costs throughout the world, including India. We continue to try and plan for the unpredictable and unexpected.”
   [Transportation Equipment] 

•     “We’re seeing steady increases in activity, but geopolitical issues and the Iran war are already waning sentiment.”
   [Fabricated Metal Products] 

•     “Customer orders have increased considerably as the construction market remains strong, resulting in higher production volume and increased forecasts to suppliers.”
   [Machinery] 

•     “Current Middle East unrest is already starting to impact business operations by increasing lead times, costs, container delays and the like.”
   [Food, Beverage + Tobacco Products] 

•     “Lots of relief from Supreme Court striking down (emergency) tariffs, particularly with organic cane sugar from Brazil.”
   [Food, Beverage + Tobacco Products] 

•     “Geopolitical tensions related to the conflict in Iran are contributing to rising manufacturing supply costs, and ongoing tariff uncertainty is negatively impacting purchasing strategies and cost forecasts.”
   [Chemical Products] 

•     “Ongoing geopolitical instability has emerged as a persistent factor influencing global trade dynamics. We anticipate strategic realignment of supply chains as organizations respond to energy market volatility and shifting trade policies. In light of these macroeconomic headwinds, we -- like most organizations -- are maintaining a cautious posture regarding investment commitments while continuing to monitor market conditions closely. Our purchasing strategy is being recalibrated to address supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by energy market volatility and evolving trade protectionism.”
   [Chemical Products] 

•     “Metal commodity prices continue to put pressure on mechanical commodities. Memory price escalation is causing large cost increases that cannot be mitigated in other areas of the product cost.”
   [Computer + Electronic Products] 

•     “The Middle East war has created domestic and global turmoil for the olefins and polyolefins business. Feedstocks and finished product pricing are accelerating dramatically as Middle Eastern and Asian producers suffer from shipping blockages. Global customers for packaging resins are scrambling to cover needs from North America and South America in the face of supply chain complications.”
   [Plastics + Rubber Products]

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CHART: ISM Manufacturing Index

March 2026 Update

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DATA: ISM Manufacturing Index

12-Month History
March 2026 Update

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• Click here to view the complete ISM report

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