Tuesday, April 22, 1997
Construction, manufacturing executives expect
strong growth
NEW YORK (AP) - Executives in the manufacturing and construction
industries expect strong growth through early summer, Dun &
Bradstreet Corp. reported Monday.
But manufacturers said growth in production and new orders
declined over the past three months, and construction executives
reported employment remained well below normal.
"Manufacturers are optimistic that the economy will continue
the healthy expansion we have seen for the past two years,"
said Joseph W. Duncan, vice president and chief economist of Dun
& Bradstreet.
Duncan said that while manufacturers expect prices to rise,
they have found it difficult to make higher prices stick in the
marketplace in recent months.
Construction industry executives also expect sustained growth
in the coming quarter, although their expectations are lower than
when previously surveyed.
"The construction sector is reaping the benefits of sustained
economic growth and high consumer confidence," Duncan said.
"The potential for rising interest rates and continued high
levels of consumer debt probably contributed to the sector's more
conservative posture in comparison to the February survey."
The separate surveys were conducted in March by the business
information company. Dun & Bradstreet surveyed 1,000 manufacturing
executives and 200 from the construction industry.
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps. Publications
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