Industrial manufacturers are cautiously optimistic

According to the first quarter edition of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ “Manufacturing Barometer,” U.S. industrial manufacturers are cautiously optimistic about the economy.

You can download a copy of Q1 2009 Manufacturing Barometer and special issues from here.

Some of the findings are:

• 16% of those polled are optimistic about the U.S. economy in the next 12 months. That’s up by 11 points from the previous quarter.
• 55% were pessimistic about the economy as compared to 70% last quarter.
• 60% reported a decline in international sales from the Q4 2008 and only 18% of those who took the survey are planning to expand abroad over the next year.
• Only 24% are planning any new investments over the next 12 months, down from 52% reported last year.
• 53% are increasing operational spending to stabilize their current business and 29% plan to focus on new product introductions.

Source: BtoB Special Vertical Insight issue.