INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) – A 2-month decline in the Purchasing Manager’s Index should be no cause for concern about the vitality of the region’s economy, so says the Institute of Applied Research at Cal State San Bernardino.

Director Dr. Barbara Sirotnik pointed to the seasonality in the data but she noted that purchasing managers’ optimism about the Inland Empire economy for the coming quarter is waning. One third predict a weakening. “47% believe the local economy will remain unchanged, where “unchanged” reflects a great deal of volatility in the economy,” Sirotnik said.

In its monthly report issued Tuesday, the Institute said there is a great deal of weakness in the Inland Empire manufacturing sector, but the numbers still reflect a local economy which is growing (albeit slowly). It is possible that the uncertainty based on global issues such as a trade slowdown, the Brexit vote creating uncertainty about trading relationships, and anxiety about the presidential election are putting businesses on edge.

Story Date: November 4, 2016