Global manufacturing was little changed this month

Global manufacturing was little changed this month,

 new data out of Markit Economics shows. 

The firm released PMI readings for more than a dozen countries 

over the past twelve hours, 

with mostly middling results in Europe and surprising strength in North America.

The international survey that blends weighted country

 results declined ten basis points to 51.1 during the month.

Notable readings:

• U.S.: 53.4 in March, up from 52.4
• 
  
• Canada: 52.4 in March, up from 51.8
• 
  
• U.K.: 52.1 in March, up from a revised reading of 51.5
• 
  
• Eurozone: 47.7 in March, down from 49.0 
• 
  
• China: 48.3 in March, down from 49.6
• 
  
• Japan: 51.1 in March, up from 50.5