The S&P Global PMI survey for India's services sector shows growth in the sector moderated but remained strong in March, with the survey's main business activity index falling to 57.8 from 59.4 in February. The manufacturing sector PMI, published earlier in the week, showed an improvement in conditions, with its main index increasing from 55.3 to 56.4, while the composite index covering both sectors fell from 59.0 in February to 58.4 in March. The strength in activity shown in these PMI surveys, along with data showing consumer inflation remains high, suggest that officials at the Reserve Bank of India will retain a bias to tighten policy further at their next policy meeting later in the week.

Respondents to the service sector survey reported slower but strong growth in output and new orders in March and an increase in new export orders. The survey showed little change in payrolls and its measure of business confidence indicate that firms in the sector expect moderate growth in output over the next 12 months. Respondents reported the weakest growth in input costs in more than two years but a bigger increase in selling prices.

The Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) is a joint publication by Markit and the Nikkei media organisation and provides an estimate of business activity in private sector services for the previous month by using information obtained from a representative sector survey incorporating around 800 companies. Results are synthesised into a single index which can range between zero and 100. A reading above (below) 50 signals rising (falling) activity versus the previous month and the closer to 100 (zero) the faster is activity growing (contracting).

Investors need to keep their fingers on the pulse of the economy because it dictates how various types of investments will perform. By tracking economic data such as the Markit PMIs, investors will know what the economic backdrop is for the various markets. The stock market likes to see healthy economic growth because that translates to higher corporate profits. The bond market prefers less rapid growth and is extremely sensitive to whether the economy is growing too quickly and causing potential inflationary pressures.

The survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month based on data collected mid-month. For each of the indicators the report shows the percentage reporting each response, the net difference between the number of higher/better responses and lower/worse responses, and the diffusion index. This index is the sum of the positive responses plus a half of those responding the same.

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey methodology has developed an outstanding reputation for providing the most up-to-date possible indication of what is really happening in the private sector economy by tracking variables such as sales, employment, inventories and prices. The indices are widely used by businesses, governments and economic analysts in financial institutions to help better understand business conditions and guide corporate and investment strategy. In particular, central banks in many countries use the data to help make interest rate decisions. PMI surveys are the first indicators of economic conditions published each month and are therefore available well ahead of comparable data produced by government bodies.