Author
Toby Madden
Regional Economist
Winter Manufacturing Business Conditions Survey Results: Size Comparison
Diffusion Index*
| Compared to the first half of 2004, in the second half of 2004 your location's: | ||||
| Total | Small | Medium | Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of orders | 64 |
59 |
73 |
71 |
| Product/service production level | 65 |
59 |
75 |
58 |
| Employment level | 57 |
53 |
64 |
58 |
| Investment in plant/equipment | 55 |
49 |
64 |
79 |
| Prices | 67 |
65 |
69 |
63 |
| Productivity | 65 |
61 |
74 |
71 |
| Profits | 44 |
40 |
51 |
42 |
| Exports** | 56 |
54 |
58 |
55 |
| Compared to the second half of 2004, during the next six months you expect your location's: | ||||
| Total | Small | Medium | Large | |
| Number of orders | 64 |
59 |
72 |
75 |
| Product/service production level | 67 |
61 |
78 |
63 |
| Employment level | 59 |
53 |
71 |
58 |
| Investment in plant/equipment | 56 |
49 |
68 |
67 |
| Prices | 67 |
68 |
67 |
46 |
| Productivity | 66 |
62 |
75 |
63 |
| Profits | 53 |
50 |
59 |
42 |
| Exports** | 57 |
53 |
60 |
65 |
| What is your outlook on the following state economic indicators during the next six months: | ||||
| Total | Small | Medium | Large | |
| Business investment | 63 |
57 |
72 |
71 |
| Employment | 63 |
55 |
76 |
71 |
| Consumer spending | 58 |
52 |
68 |
58 |
| Inflation | 80 |
78 |
83 |
79 |
| Economic growth | 65 |
57 |
80 |
79 |
| Corporate profits | 55 |
50 |
65 |
58 |
* A number above 50 indicates expansion and a number below 50 represents contraction. The index is computed by taking the percentage of respondents that reported "up" and half the percentage of the respondents that reported "same."
** A majority of respondents left this question blank.
Notes: Relates to number of employees. Small is less than 50 employees, medium is 50 to 250 employees and large is more than 250 employees.
