The manufacturing sector is positive about prospects in 2012, according to the December 2011 Semiannual Economic Forecast from the Institute for Supply Management. Revenues are expected to increase in 17 industries, while the non-manufacturing sector appears slightly less positive about the year ahead, with 15 industries expecting higher revenues.

Capital expenditures, a major driver in the U.S. economy, however, will increase only modestly in the manufacturing sector, while investment in the non-manufacturing sector will remain essentially flat.

These projections are part of the forecast issued by the Business Survey Committee of the Institute for Supply Management.

Manufacturing Summary

Expectations for 2012 are positive as 69 percent of survey respondents expect …