Numbers that Matter
In the January Numbers that Matter editorial livestream, PN Economics Editor Bill Wood went into detail about the risks and opportunities facing North American plastics companies, starting with the potential for higher inflation because of rising energy, raw material and labor costs.
President Donald Trump is off to an aggressive start, particularly when it comes to economic policy. Plastics News Economics Editor Bill Wood expects volatility in the coming months but it's still too early to tell how Trump will impact specific plastic markets. Wood takes one last look at 2024, and December's numbers showed a healthy uptick in motor vehicle sales, boosting retail overall.
Bill Wood: "I am tired of writing about [inflation], and you are undoubtedly tired of reading about it. ... I do not make the trends; I just identify and analyze them."
Plastics News Economics Editor Bill Wood takes a look at the big fiscal issues facing the United States in general as it enters 2025 and specific concerns for the plastics industry.
Bill Wood: "Barring an unforeseen catastrophe, the U.S. economy will enter 2025 with solid momentum."
Bill Wood: "Now that we are past the election, it is time for me to offer a few politically tinged opinions on behalf of U.S. manufacturers and anyone else who relies upon the U.S. economy for their livelihoods."
Bill Wood: "The predominant trend in the motor vehicle industry is a bellwether for national economic trends, and it also affects a sizable portion of the plastics industry."
Economics Editor Bill Wood continues to monitor the U.S. economy for a potential "soft landing" scenario as inflation eases and the job market remains robust. But concerns linger, particularly in the manufacturing and residential construction sectors, which struggle due to high interest and mortgage rates. Also supply chain disruptions, geopolitical risks and election uncertainties pose potential challenges.
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