NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey, Q1, 2019

The U.S. manufacturing sector rebounded a bit in Q1, 2019 as the sector empowered by pro-growth reforms like tax reform and regulatory certainty. Tax reform in particular helped many manufacturers to invest in more hiring and compensation. The manufacturers remain very optimistic about business conditions and confident about the future as well, 89.5 percent of respondents have felt optimistic about their company’s outlook in Q1 2019. Moreover, the NAM manufacturing outlook index rose to 59.7 in Q1, 2019 from 59.1 in Q4, 2018. The index reading above 50 indicates the expansion and below 50 contraction.