Mid-American Economy

Mid-America Manufacturing Advances Again

March 2026 recorded the highest overall manufacturing reading since March 2025.
Manufacturing jobs increased for the first time since March 2025.
Approximately, 61.1% of supply managers reported that the Iran conflict was having a negative impact on their purchasing decisions.
Supply chain disruptions climbed for the month.
The wholesale inflation gauge is in a range indicating elevated and rising wholesale price pressures.
As reported by one supply manager, “We purchase millions of gallons of diesel fuel every year. The cost of fuel is not showing up in the rates to haul freight, yet. Once it does, inflation will rise sharply.”
Initial claims for unemployment compensation for the last five weeks, compared to the same period in 2025, fell by 7.2% for the nine-state Mid-American region.