U.S. business confidence in January 1998 was the highest since spring 1997, suggesting that manufacturers don't expect Asian financial problems to seriously impact the U.S. economy or their own business prospects this year. The Cahners Business Confidence Index for January 1998 showed strongest optimism among businesses with headquarters in the West and Northeast.
Newton, Mass. — U.S. business confidence in January 1998 was the highest since spring 1997, suggesting that manufacturers don’t expect Asian financial problems to seriously impact the U.S. economy or their own business prospects this year. The Cahners Business Confidence Index for January 1998 showed strongest optimism among businesses with headquarters in the West and Northeast. “Plans to increase employment and production recorded particularly strong gains in the West over the month,” according to the monthly telephone survey of 400 senior and midlevel decision-makers in manufacturing. (See Market Update for related article.)
