Despite continued concern about high energy prices, manufacturing executives in U.S.-based multinationals surveyed by PricewaterhouseCoopers are significantly more optimistic about the U.S. and world economies than they were three months ago.
Seventy-six percent are optimistic about the U.S. economy's prospects during the next 12 months, compared with 54% three months ago. Seventy-one percent are optimistic about the world economy, also up from 54%.
There is a note of caution, however. While 57% of the executives surveyed expect their companies to make major capital investments during the next 12 months, that percentage is down from 60% three months ago.
