The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an economic indicator that provides valuable insight into the health and direction of a country's or region's manufacturing sector. 

It is widely used by businesses, investors, and policymakers to assess the state of the economy and make informed decisions. 

PMI Data Collection 

The PMI is based on a survey of purchasing managers in various industries. These managers are asked about various aspects of their business, such as new orders, production levels, employment, supplier deliveries, and inventory levels. 

The survey responses are typically in the form of diffusion indices, which measure the percentage of respondents reporting improvements, no change, or declines in these factors compared to the previous month. 

Calculation

The PMI is calculated based on the survey results and each of the aspects are assigned a weight based on the results. 

A reading above 50 generally indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector, while a reading below 50 suggests contraction. 

The higher the PMI, the faster the expansions, and vice versa. 

Components

As already mentioned above, the PMI consists of several components that are weighted based on survey results, including:

• New orders: Reflects the aggregate demand for manufactured goods
• Production: Measures the level of production output 
• Employment: Indicates changes in manufacturing employment levels 
• Supplier deliveries: Measures the speed of deliveries from suppliers
• Inventory levels: Reflects changes in raw materials and finished goods inventories

Impact On The Forex Market

The PMI value affects investors' confidence across the market, as a decline in manufacturing output can have ripple effects on the broader economy, which also adversely affects asset prices and the strength of currencies. 

A high PMI can encourage businesses to invest in expanding production and hiring more workers, which strengthens the economy and the national currency. 

Central banks may use PMI data as part of their decision-making process when setting interest rates.

PMI data is not limited to a single country; it can be used to assess the global economic situation by comparing PMI readings from different regions. 

The main impact of the PMI on the forex market is on investor sentiment. If the sentiment is bullish, asset prices increase, and vice versa. 

• The Purchasing Managers’ Index, or PMI, is a financial metric that measures manufacturing performance
• The index is a weighted aggregate measure of five different factors, such as: new orders, production, employment, supplier deliveries, and inventory levels. 
• PMI can affect the strength of currencies and consequently, investor sentiment