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U.S. Economy

Still the leader in manufacturing, the U.S. economy is one to watch. IW updates this section regularly. Also see the exclusive NAM/IW Manufacturing Index.

The NAM/IndustryWeek Manufacturing Index -- 3rd Quarter 2009
The business outlook for manufacturers improved in the third quarter of 2009, marking the second consecutive quarterly improvement.

When the economy entered recession in the fourth quarter of 2007, 70% of respondents to the NAM/IndustryWeek Manufacturing Index had a positive business outlook. This level of optimism bottomed out at 28% in the first quarter of this year. After increasing to a level of 42% in the second quarter, the share of survey respondents with a positive business outlook increased again to 55% in the third quarter, the highest level in six quarters.

While the recent improvement in manufacturers' business outlook is positive news, results of the third quarter survey suggest that manufacturers expect business conditions to improve gradually over the next year, based on third quarter results on the outlook of sales, pricing power, investment, inventories, employment and wage growth, all of which improved for a second consecutive quarter in the third quarter of 2009.

Still, nearly identical to the second quarter survey roughly two-thirds (65%) of survey respondents do not expect an upturn in their company's production until sometime in 2010.

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U.S. Economy Articles & News

Teens Show Little Interest in Manufacturing

Most would prefer white-collar careers, according to survey

11/19/2009

Chinese Policies Continue to Undermine U.S. Manufacturing Sector

The latest report from a Congressional panel warns against Chinese trade, cyber activities.

11/19/2009

GE Appoints Tech Center Leader

Current CIO for corporate information services takes helm of advanced manufacturing center

11/19/2009

Brazil Gets Approval for Sanctions on U.S. Over Cotton

Source says Brazil granted WTO permission to impose sanctions for unfair cotton subsidies.