Processor's Pulse - Business Expectations Unchanged

Nearly two-thirds of plastics processors said they were optimistic or much more optimistic about the future of their business. There has been little change in the much more optimistic response since June 2011 while the somewhat optimistic response has fallen from its peak in late 2011/early 2012. Those that were somewhat less optimistic about their own business were a mirror image of those that were somewhat more optimistic.

While processors are generally optimistic about their own business they are not as optimistic about the economy. Less than half of the respondents are much more optimistic or somewhat more optimistic about the general economy. This is a pretty significant change form late 2011/early 2012.

Despite the less optimistic opinion of the economy, there was almost no change in the likelihood that plastics processors will buy equipment in the next 12 months.