US DATA: NABE Jan industry survey (conducted Dec 15-Jan 5) finds
2/3 looking for 2%+ real GDP in ’12, and says over 80% of respondents
reported unch or rising sales and margins. Also sees greater stability
in prices. “Nearly all respondents expect that non-labor input prices
will remain unchanged or rise by 5% or less. Over 70% of respondents
reported that wages and salaries have remained unchanged. The share of
respondents reporting unchanged prices charged (78%) is the highest
share in recent surveys and almost all respondents expect either no
change in prices or minor price increases by their companies of 5% or
less. Materials costs rose for 31% of respondents and were unchanged for
59% of them, which suggests a continued trend toward greater stability.”