U.S. Industrial Manufacturers Forecast Solid Revenue Growth in 2015
NEW YORK, NY — Optimism regarding projected company revenue growth increased among U.S. industrial manufacturers during the third quarter of 2014, according to the Q3 2014 Manufacturing Barometer, released on October 7, 2014 by PwC US. Survey respondents forecast an average growth rate of 5.6 percent over the next 12 months, up from 5.2 percent in the second quarter and 4.2 percent a year ago. The positive revenue outlook ran counter to a notable softening in sentiment regarding the future direction of the U.S. and global economies overall, coupled with increased concerns about the potential impacts of legislative/regulatory and tax policies.
Optimism regarding the prospects of the U.S. economy during the next 12 months dropped among U.S. industrial manufacturers to 57 percent during the third quarter of 2014, compared to 65 percent in the previous quarter and 60 percent in the third quarter of 2013. While the indicator remained solidly in positive territory, it represented the lowest level in the past six quarters. At the same time, optimism about the world economy dropped to 30 percent, down from 38 percent in the second quarter — a modest reading that was the lowest in eight quarters.