FIN Survey: Indicators for 2006

John Wolz

Profits A 58.5% majority of fastener firms participating in the 27th annual – anticipate profit growth in 2006.
Sales More than three-fourths of the fastener industry forecast sales growth in 2006.
Costs About 63% of respondents anticipate cost increases this year, while nearly 25% predict costs will remain stable in 2006.
Confidence While optimism in economic conditions is evident, political confidence in both Congress and the White House is declining.
Prices One-half of fastener companies plan to raise prices in the first half of 2006, while nearly 32% expect to leave rates unchanged. Only 6% anticipate price cuts.
Employment Following a year when staffing additions declined, nearly 42% of companies plan to add more workers in 2006. Just over 56% of respondents intend to operate with their current number of employees.
Capital Expenditures Nearly 55% of fastener companies predict a 6% increase in investments during 2006. Only 10% of respondents expect to cut their capital budget this year.
Pay Raises – Nearly 70% plan to boost pay in 2006, up from the 59.1% who predicted raises at the beginning of 2005. Only 29% remain undecided on wage increases this year, down from the 31.4% who were unsure going into 2005. \ �2006 FastenerNews.com