Economy
Metalformers see optimism grow after improved January: PMA
Written by David Schollaert
January 23, 2024
Metalformers remain positive about business prospects for the first quarter of 2024, boosted by reported growth in January.
Roughly 60% of metalforming companies expect stable business conditions over the next three months, up from 57% last month, according to the January report from the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA).
Another 20% expect an increase in economic activity, up from 13% in December. And 20% think business conditions will worsen, down from 30% in December, the group said.
“PMA members are expressing confidence that their businesses will continue to experience stable conditions in the first quarter of 2024,” PMA president David Klotz said in a statement.
“In fact, the January Business Conditions Report shows the highest percentage of respondents predicting steady or increased economic activity since April 2022,” Klotz added.
Optimism was also aided by an uptick in incoming orders in January’s latest forecast. Some 34% of survey respondents said an increase in orders was expected in Q1, up from 29% in December, and 21% anticipating a decrease in orders vs. 30% in December.
Daily shipping levels remained steady in January vs. the prior month, while only 7% reported an increase in lead times in January, the report said.
David Schollaert
Read more from David SchollaertLatest in Economy
Housing starts increase in April but remain muted
US housing starts ticked up through April following March’s dip, according to the latest data release from the US Census Bureau.
May manufacturing activity sluggish in New York state
New York state continues to see deteriorating manufacturing business conditions through May, according to the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey
US construction spending levels off in March
Construction spending in the US in March was basically steady from the previous month but showed notable year-on-year (y/y) growth.
ISM: Manufacturing sector contracted in April
The Index had briefly showed expansion in March, but has indicated a contracting manufacturing sector for 17 of the last 18 months.
Chicago Business Barometer falls to 16-month low
The Chicago Business Barometer slipped further in April, now at the lowest measure recorded since November 2022.