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New statistics from the National Association of Business Economists suggest that a variety of economic conditions have been improving in recent weeks.
According to the organization's recently released October Industry report, industrial demand increased between July and September for the first time in five quarters. The report found that 73 percent of companies believe real GDP will increase by as much as 3 percent in 2010, while the NABE panelists themselves indicated that they expect positive economic growth for next year.
Other details of the report saw rising profit margins for the first time in seven quarters, and more price increases than price cuts for the first time in about a year.
On the unemployment front, job losses were said to be leveling off somewhat, with 31 percent of companies cutting positions as opposed to the 36 percent recorded last quarter. A total of 12 percent of firms are now said to be adding jobs, up from 6 percent in the previous survey. Still, labor costs were said to be "extremely subdued" with only 9 percent of companies reporting increased compensation.
A variety of other economic improvements were spotted, from improved capital spending and improving credit conditions.
By Bill Laforme
Economist organization sees improving conditions
New statistics from the National Association of Business Economists suggest that a variety of economic conditions have been improving in recent weeks. According to the organization's recently released October Industry report, industrial demand increased between July and September for the first time in five quarters. The report found that 73 percent of companies believe real GDP will increase by as much as 3 percent in 2010, while the NABE panelists themselves indicated that they expect positive economic growth for next year.
Other details of the report saw rising profit margins for the first time in seven quarters, and more price increases than price cuts for the first time in about a year.
On the unemployment front, job losses were said to be leveling off somewhat, with 31 percent of companies cutting positions as opposed to the 36 percent recorded last quarter. A total of 12 percent of firms are now said to be adding jobs, up from 6 percent in the previous survey. Still, labor costs were said to be "extremely subdued" with only 9 percent of companies reporting increased compensation.
A variety of other economic improvements were spotted, from improved capital spending and improving credit conditions.
By Bill Laforme
