MAPI — Manufacturers Alliance News and Reports — U.S. Industrial Outlook and More

Issues in the Brief

How Important Is an EU Capital Markets Union to MAPI Companies?

The Great Recession caused significant damage to the developed economies on both sides of the Atlantic. Yet whereas the American economy rebounded early if not very quickly, Europe’s recovery proceeded in fits and starts.

The Future of Work

Fifty years ago, on a trip to China, the renowned Chicago economist Milton Friedman was shown some of the country’s noteworthy public works programs in which hundreds of laborers were digging a canal with shovels.

The Job Market Hits a Fork in the Road

With the labor force participation rate at generational lows, decelerating productivity growth and 2.5 million Americans seeking work for at least six months, the long-term labor market dynamic is problematic. Nonetheless, steady payroll gains seem to be the sole factor currently propelling U.S. growth.

The Patent Box: Innovative Idea or Another Tax Complication?

With the new Congress in full swing and the Senate’s tax reform working groups getting ready to report their findings, there has been growing chatter about patent boxes, an incentive used by many of our trading partners to attract research and development, manufacturing, and high-skilled jobs.

Economic Update

Latin America’s Outlook: Adjusting to Less Favorable External Conditions

Three factors are behind Latin America’s depressed business environment: lower commodity prices, corruption scandals in numerous countries and concerns about financial stability arising from massive capital outflows.

Quarterly Economic Forecast: Oil, Gas, Dollar, Consumers All Factors

In Chief Economist Dan Meckstroth’s review of the MAPI Foundation’s latest forecast, he explains the reasons for the less optimistic outlook for U.S. manufacturing, including the strong dollar and the collapse in energy prices.

U.S. Industrial Outlook: Growth Decelerates in 2015

Several shocks have lowered manufacturing growth potential this year — a severe winter, strong dollar, declining energy exploration and excessive inventories. The corrections will hold down 2015 growth. Fortunately, the housing and aerospace supply chains are ramping up and strong employment growth will underpin economic performance. We forecast manufacturing production growth of 2.5% in 2015, 4.0% in 2016 and 3.1% in 2017.