Economic growth continues, and the slow pace will pick up mid-year, and continue accelerating in 2013, according to PMMI’s “Quarterly Economic Outlook: Planning for 1st Quarter 2012.”

The report describes the economy as realigning itself post-recession, and notes that businesses and the U.S. economy are on more secure footing today than at the time of the 2008 financial collapse. Data that point to upcoming economic expansion include:

• Upward growth of the U.S. Leading Indicator.
• The Purchasing Managers Index has dropped, but still is above the midpoint of 50 — a growth indicator. Nondefense Capital Goods New Orders (without aircraft) is expanding, but slower than a year ago.
• Retail Sales slowed in the last half of 2011, but remain positive, showing 2.4% growth above the year earlier.
• Corporate bond prices, money supply and stock prices are all rising.

The report also analyzes six important market segments: Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices; Personal Care; Beverages, Coffee & Tea; Chemicals & Cleaning Products; Consumer/Commercial Industrial Durables, Hardgoods, Components & Parts; Food and Food Preparation.

PMMI Quarterly Economic Outlook reports are produced by the Institute for Trends Research for the benefit of PMMI Members. The reports, and supporting webinars, are available to members at no charge. PMMI will present a webinar, for members only, on Wednesday, January 25, at noon EST.

For more information, contact Paula Feldman, director of business intelligence, PMMI: pfeldman@pmmi.org; 703.243.8555.

Learn more about PMMI and the PACK EXPO trade shows at PMMI.org  and Packexpo.com .