December 14, 2018
The Houston Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), a short-term leading indicator for regional production, registered 54.9 in November, down minimally from 55.0 in October. Readings above 50 generally indicate expansion in Houston’s manufacturing sector while readings below 50 signal contraction in manufacturing. The PMI needs to drop below 45, however, before it signals contraction in the overall Houston economy. This reflects a revision of how the Institute for Supply Management-Houston calculates the PMI. Under the old methodology, readings above 50 signaled expansion in the overall economy and readings below 50 signaled contraction.