By Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence Has it been mentioned that the sole function of economic forecasting is to make astrology respectable? This was a rather famous and appropriate quote from John Kenneth Galbraith. It’s not that economists are that bad at forecasting but only as good as the data and when these numbers keep changing it makes life … [Read more...] about Four Changes That Have Economic Impact
Economy
Mixed Reviews for 2024’s Economy
By Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence There always is something happening in the economy guaranteed to make a fool of economists. After all, the only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable. For most of last year, the predictions were some versions of gloom and doom, and every quarter there was further evidence of … [Read more...] about Mixed Reviews for 2024’s Economy
Partnership with ITR Economics Enhances Member Benefits
By Lindsey Munson, editor, Plastics Business On the rise and expected to grow over the next decade, the plastics industry is evolving and transforming by the day, and companies are challenged with meeting their operational expectations no matter the external market trends and economic impacts. Management teams are pressured now more than ever to assess, plan and respond … [Read more...] about Partnership with ITR Economics Enhances Member Benefits
Year-End Economic Outlook: Here We Go Again
By Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence Rather suddenly, the threat of recession is back. Many had been predicting the downturn would occur as early as Q3 of last year. However, growth numbers consistently exceeded expectations (2.6% in Q3, 2.9% in Q4, 2.3% in Q1 of this year and another 2.3% in Q2). Then the biggest shock yet – growth in the third … [Read more...] about Year-End Economic Outlook: Here We Go Again
Organized Labor Activities Cause Concern for Plastics Processors
By Andrew Carlsgaard, business relations manager/analytics director, MAPP According to feedback from 101 processing executives in MAPP’s 2023 Third Quarter Pulse Report, the near-term outlook for the US plastics industry going into the fourth quarter of 2023 is lukewarm; however, it is slightly higher than it was going into the third. The Pulse Report, conducted … [Read more...] about Organized Labor Activities Cause Concern for Plastics Processors