Manufacturing PMI Report Highest Since September 2014

Of all the small sample surveys, the one that has consistently shown the least amount of exceptional strength has now joined the others. The manufacturing PMI for final April came in at 56.5 for the highest score since September 2014. Looking for capacity stress? It's here with both input costs and selling prices accelerating to the strongest pace since mid-2011. And the sample concedes that the pressure on prices, at least to an extent, is due to metal tariffs imposed in March. Another possible sign of stress is a softening in job creation which may indicate that the PMI's sample is having a hard time finding new people.