Manufacturers’ Optimism Hits Record High

The National Association of Manufacturers published the results its 2017 first quarter Manufacturers’ Outlook survey, reporting: “… manufacturers’ optimism rose to a new all-time high in the survey’s nearly 20-year history. This corresponds with a pickup in manufacturing activity and is a welcome turn of events given the challenges the sector has endured over the past two years. The rising confidence stems from the belief that the new administration in Washington, D.C. will bring much needed regulatory relief—as well as reforms to the tax code and a significant infrastructure package.

“In this latest NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey, 93.3 percent of manufacturers are either somewhat or very positive about their own company’s outlook, up from 56.6 percent one year ago and 77.8 percent in December. As a result, the NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Index also soared to a new high, up from 53.3 in December to 63.7 in this report. It was the second straight quarter where the outlook exceeded its historic average—which would equate to 50 in the index—and there were strong gains in confidence for all firm sizes.”