Economic Recovery Continues in 2010: Institute for Supply Management
BUSINESS COMPARISON
The First Half of 2010 with Last Half of 2009
Manufacturing
Looking ahead to the first half of 2010, survey respondents are optimistic about the next half year. Comparing their outlook for the first half of 2010 to the last half of 2009, 46 percent predict it will be better, 18 percent predict it will be worse, and 36 percent expect no change. Compared to the diffusion index for the same relative prediction one year ago (33 percent), respondents are significantly more optimistic about prospects in the manufacturing sector for the first half year (64 percent). The 14 industries expecting improvement in 2010 — listed in order — are: Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing(a); Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Machinery; and Fabricated Metal Products.