Although the U.S. manufacturing sector will experience turbulent times in 2008, it will rebound in 2009: so says the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Quarterly Industrial Outlook.
 
Housing starts, which were down 26 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007, are expected to drop another 33 percent in 2008. However, MAPI predicts a 32 percent increase in housing for 2009. And although manufacturing production is only expected to grow by 0.5 percent in 2008, it will rebound to 3.4 percent growth in 2009.

Dr. Daniel J. Meckstroth, chief economist for the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, explains that the structure of the current downturn is concentrated in finance, real estate, and construction - and not in manufacturing-intensive demand, such as business equipment and exports.