Manufacturers/End Users
December 22, 2025
Metalformers' near-term outlook more bullish in December despite slip in shipping: PMA
Written by Ethan Bernard
Metalforming manufacturers are more upbeat on the prospect of improved near-term economic activity despite lower shipping levels in December, according to the Precision Metalforming Association’s (PMA) December report.
The December report shows 26% of surveyed manufacturers expect an increase in general economic activity over the next three months, up from only 14% in November. Meanwhile, 57% predict no change in activity vs. 51% the prior month, and 17% predict a decrease, down from 35% in November.
However, this increased bullishness comes despite respondents reporting a decline in current shipping levels. Only 11% of metalformers in the December survey said current average daily shipping levels increased, down from 21% in November. At the same time, 38% reported no change, edging down from 39% in November. And 51% said shipping levels declined, up from 40% last month.
For incoming orders, though, metalformers anticipated an increase. In the December report, 48% of respondents expect a boost in orders, up from 31% in November. Additionally, 32% see no change vs. 36% last month, and only 20% predict a decrease in orders, falling from 33% in November.
“As we look toward 2026, our members are feeling confident about the year ahead,” David Klotz, PMA president, said in a statement on Monday. “That confidence reflects the resilience metalforming manufacturers demonstrated in 2025—and that resilience is already translating into plans for increased economic activity in early 2026.”
Released every month, PMA’s report serves as an economic indicator for the next three months of manufacturing, sampling 82 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada. (Full results are available here.)
