Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™) data are compiled by IHS Markit for more than 40 economies worldwide. The monthly data are derived from surveys of senior executives at private sector companies, and are available only via subscription. The PMI dataset features a headline number, which indicates the overall health of an economy, and sub-indices, which provide insights into other key economic drivers such as GDP, inflation, exports, capacity utilization, employment and inventories. The PMI data are used by financial and corporate professionals to better understand where economies and markets are headed, and to uncover opportunities.

Final PMI data will be keenly anticipated for the extent of the broader economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak around the world after flash PMI data showed business activity in major economies slumped in March. China PMI updates in particular will be scrutinised for signs of recovery amid reports of an accelerated increase in the number of industrial firms resuming work. Meanwhile, the focus on the recent US dollar strength will remain due to US liquidity concerns as well as the impact on emerging markets that hold excessive dollar-denominated debt.

In the US, with the flash IHS Markit US PMI reporting the steepest downturn since the global financial crisis during March, markets will look to forthcoming data, including non-farm payrolls, regional Fed surveys and the ISM PMI results for virus impact in March, even as they eye fresh developments on the massive fiscal stimulus plan that has now moved to a vote in the lower house on Friday 27...