ARLINGTON, VA-The U.S. manufacturing sector will continue to expand, but at a more moderate pace over the next 3 to 6 months, according to the quarterly Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI survey on business outlook.
In June, the alliance's composite index of 71 was marginally lower than the 74 reported in the March 2006 survey. However, because an index of 50 or higher indicates upcoming increases, the U.S. economy remains on firm ground.