ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 29, 1996 TAG: 9611290113
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B11 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEW YORK
Executives in the manufacturing and construction industries expect slowdowns in their sectors through January, Dun & Bradstreet Corp. reported Wednesday.
But manufacturers foresee somewhat less of a letdown than builders, according to two separate surveys done in October by the business information company.
``The prevailing outlook in the [manufacturing] industry calls for growth to continue for the foreseeable future, but not at the strong pace that characterized most of 1996,'' said Joseph W. Duncan, vice president and chief economist of Dun & Bradstreet. ``This is reflected in predictions of more moderate demand both for consumer goods, as well as for industrial machinery and equipment.''
Duncan also said manufacturers expect strong employment, high wages and low inflation and interest rates to support production and demand.
Construction executives do not expect this year's strong conditions to continue, he said.
``While they still hope for moderate short-term growth, conditions in the industry will most likely weaken as a period of slower economic expansion gradually takes hold,'' Duncan said. ``Industry executives apparently believe they have satisfied much of the existing demand.''
The company surveyed 1,000 manufacturing executives and 200 from the construction industry.
-Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB