PMA Report Indicates Y/Y Increase in Shipping But Future Order Trend Uncertain

Metalforming companies are showing some uncertainty about the general economic outlook but more than half reported shipping levels were higher in July 2014 than in July 2013. The forecast for incoming orders in the next three months compared to the previous three is somewhat better–40 percent expecting orders to increase (up from 37 percent)  and 40 percent expecting no change (down from 45 percent). The entire press release is reprinted below.

CLEVELAND, OH—July 21, 2014—According to the July 2014 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies expect a slight decline in business conditions during the next three months. Conducted monthly, the report is an economic indicator for manufacturing, sampling 122 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada.