War in Iran disrupts supply chains and drags March PMI
Business
The war in Iran is shaking up global supply chains, making it harder, and pricier, for manufacturers to get what they need.
According to S&P Global, delivery delays and rising costs have thrown off March 2026's key manufacturing numbers (PMI), showing just how much the sector is struggling to bounce back after the pandemic.
Energy-driven Asian slowdown, Europe mixed
Countries that rely on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz—like China and Japan—are seeing slower growth because energy prices are up.
China's PMI slipped to 50.8 and Japan's dropped too, while South Korea managed strong factory activity thanks to high demand for semiconductors.
Over in Europe, Germany and Italy saw some growth, but Spain shrank, and Britain faced its longest delivery delays since 2022.