Supply Chain Research

U.S. managers’ export expectations reached their highest since February 2012 in April, after the ISM measure increased for a third month. The reading was its highest vs. overall manufacturing sentiment since April 2012, suggesting managers expect an export-led recovery. The import index hit its highest since January 2015, suggesting few worries about near-term protectionist measures. Chinese and British managers are still optimistic, but less so than previously while French managers share their American counterparts improving sentiment.