No one variable provides the key to the future direction of the economy or market. However, one economic data point that tends to get a lot of attention is the Purchasing Managers' Index for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing parts of the economy. In fact, in an article I wrote earlier this week, I highlighted the optimism being expressed by manufacturers and small businesses. Many of my articles get republished on Seeking Alpha, as did this one. One reader comment to the article stated I must not be "paying much attention to the manufacturing PMIs,