The US manufacturing activity increased in March, with a measure of prices paid by factories for inputs increasing to the highest level in nearly four years and suppliers taking longer to deliver material due to the Middle East war. The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing PMI rose to 52.7 from 52.4 in February, marking the third consecutive month that the PMI indicated an expansion. This increase was likely due to lengthening suppliers' delivery times, usually associated with a strong economy and increased customer demand. The war between the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has resulted in shipping restrictions and increased global crude prices. Economists predict that the war will increase inflation and prevent the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates this year. Despite the rise in PMI, tariffs remain a significant barrier to manufacturing, which accounts for 10.1% of the US economy.