The National Association for Business Economics (NABE) released its January 2015 Business Conditions Survey report, which presents the responses of 93 NABE members and industry economists regarding business conditions in their firms or industries. It reflects fourth-quarter 2014 results and the near-term outlook.
“Business conditions continued to improve in the fourth quarter of 2014,” said NABE President John Silvia, chief economist for Wells Fargo Securities. “There are strong expectations for the first quarter, especially for jobs and wages, backed up by strong capital spending. Moreover, price and cost pressures appear to be subdued.”
Silvia also indicated that the deflation in oil prices was the most consequential economic shock of 2014. Three quarters of respondents indicated lower oil prices would have an impact on their businesses in 2015; most anticipated the impact would be positive. Sales growth also improved slightly during the fourth quarter of 2014 and profit margins grew at slightly more firms than in the third quarter.
For more information, visit: www.nabe.com
