The Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Quarterly Economic Forecast predicts that inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) will expand by 3.2% in 2011 and by 3% in 2012.
"Prospects have improved for a stronger pace of economic growth this year, but there are no home runs," said Daniel J. Meckstroth, chief economist, Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI."Our 2011 forecast rose due to the additional, and unanticipated, tax stimulus passed at the end of last year. The 2% payroll deduction and business expensing provisions will pump an additional $300 billion into the economy over the next two years. An upward trend in the outlook for small business; the continuation and acceleration of new hiring, albeit at a somewhat sluggish pace; a rise in business confidence surveys; and a relatively strong export market all point to continued moderate economic growth."
Manufacturing production will outpace the overall economy and is expected to show 5.5% growth in 2011 and 4.6% growth in 2012.
"Manufacturing production will improve because economic growth is strongest in the goods sector," Meckstroth said."Consumers have pent-up needs for durable goods, such as appliances and motor vehicles; business equipment demand is strong; and a more competitive dollar helps U.S. exports."
Highlights of the survey include:
- Production in non-high-tech industries is expected to increase by 4.3% in 2011 and by 3.9% in 2012.
- High-tech manufacturing production, which accounts for approximately 10% of all manufacturing, is anticipated to improve at a much higher rate, with solid 14.2% growth in 2011 followed by 15.3% growth in 2012.
- Investment in equipment and software is for 13.9% growth in 2011 and 9.6% growth in 2012.
- Capital equipment spending in high-tech sectors will also rise.
- Expenditures for information processing equipment are anticipated to increase by 10.3% in 2011 before decelerating to 5.7% in 2012.
- Industrial equipment expenditures to advance by a robust 19% in 2011 and by 9.2% in 2012.
- Spending on transportation equipment is for healthy 25.7% growth in 2011, and, for 2012, an even better 29.4%.
Exports are anticipated to improve by 8.1% in 2011 and by 8.7% in 2012. Imports are expected to grow by 6.7% in 2011 and by 5.2% in 2012.
MAPI forecasts overall unemployment to improve somewhat, averaging 9% in 2011 and 8.5% in 2012. Manufacturing is expected to see a hiring increase with the sector forecast to add 284,000 jobs in 2011 and 400,000 jobs in 2012.
See Also
IW's Blueprint For Manufacturing Success
U.S. Manufacturing Sector Shows Strong Growth
U.S. Growth Hits Highest Level in Five Years
