February Business Conditions Report Predicts Growth
A monthly survey by the PMA predicts a spike in business.
The February 2013 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) business conditions report indicates that metalforming companies expect a spike in business conditions over the next three months. Conducted monthly, the report is based on a sampling of 131 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada.
According to the February report, 37 percent of those surveyed predict economic improvement over the next three months and 55 percent expect no change. Only 8 percent of respondents anticipated a decline in economic activity. Respondents also expected incoming orders to strengthen, with 50 percent forecasting an increase in orders and 39 percent expecting no change. Eleven percent predicted a decrease.
Survey results also indicated rising average daily shipping levels. Forty percent of respondents reported that shipping levels are above those of three months ago, while 37 percent report levels the same as three months ago. Twenty-three percent reported a decrease in shipping levels, down from 41 percent in January.
Based on the survey results, PMA expects a more positive outlook for the first quarter of 2013 and modest growth throughout the spring.
