Economy

PMA Business Conditions Outlook Promising

December 14, 2013

The next three months are looking good to metalforming companies in the Dec. 2013 Precision Metalforming Association Business Conditions Report. The number of participants that forecast an improvement in economic activity during the next three months jumped to 41 percent, up from 27 percent in November. Likewise, incoming orders are expected to spike with 43 percent anticipating an increase in orders, up from 33 percent in November.

Average daily shipping levels decreased in December according to participants. Only nine percent of companies reported workforce on short time or layoff, down from 13 percent in November and 17 percent in December 2012.

“PMA members are quite optimistic about the first quarter of 2014, and they are especially upbeat compared to December 2012,” said William E. Gaskin, PMA president. “While current shipping trends are somewhat lower than three months ago, that is a typical end-of-year pattern, and the level of optimism for new orders is significantly more positive. A number of other positive economic reports, including the strong November ISM Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing of 57.3, a stronger than anticipated jobs report in November and continued strength in the automotive sector, have undoubtedly fueled the optimism.” (Source: Dec 2013 PMA Business Conditions Report)