MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. The Russian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 48.3 in March 2026 from 49.5 the previous month, according to a study by S&P Global.
"Lower new order inflows led firms to downwardly adjust their input buying in March. The drop in purchasing activity was marked and the strongest in four years," the study says.
Moreover, the decline in production was sharp and the fastest since the beginning of the year. A decline in new orders forced companies to adjust their raw material purchases downward in March.
The decline in purchasing activity was noticeable and the sharpest in four years. S&P Global added that employment contracted for the fourth consecutive month, albeit at the slowest pace in 2026 so far.
Nevertheless, companies were able to reduce their backlog of work again in March, and the pace of decline was the fastest in the past three months.
The PMI value above 50 points is indicative of the business activity growth and the value below that level flags its slowdown.