Manufacturing Sector On Path To Recovery

Industry Week reports that according to Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, the recovery in the manufacturing sector is underway. The group’s December 2009 composite index rose to 57% from 38% reported in September 2009. This represents the highest level since their March 2008 survey registered 57%, and the first time in six quarters it has reached 50% or above. At its current level, the index indicates that overall manufacturing activity is expected to grow over the next three to six months.

The quarterly orders index, based on forecasts for the fourth quarter of 2009 with the same quarter one year ago, rose to 42% from 11% in the previous survey.

In the report, the U.S. investment index, which queried executives on their expectations regarding capital investment in 2010, was 66%, up from 47%, indicating increased domestic investment this year.