The latest edition of the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Manufacturing Barometer reports cautious optimism about the U.S. and global economies among U.S.-based industrial manufacturers, according to the Q4 2009 report. Nearly half (47 percent) of survey respondents are optimistic about the U.S. economy's prospects, whereas only 5 percent were optimistic a year ago. Similarly, 41 percent of panelists who sell internationally are optimistic about the prospects for the world economy, compared to only 4 percent a year ago.
Indicating a continued hint of optimism, 35 percent of panelists believed the U.S. economy grew in Q4 2009, up 22 points from the prior quarter. Only 15 percent believed it declined (down 8 points from the previous quarter), while the prevailing opinion (50 percent) was that the U.S. economy remained unchanged. In regards to the world economy, the most typical view was that it remained unchanged (46 percent) for the second straight quarter. However, 34 percent viewed the world economy as growing, a 5 point increase, while 20 percent believed it was declining.