Report Says Confidence Rises But Growth Slows

PARAMUS, N.J.—A new report by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) analyzing the effects of last fall's terrorist attacks on the printing industry shows that printers' confidence has improved, but companies continue to report slow growth.

"Economic Update: The Printing Industry Since September 11" includes information on productivity, corporate profits outlook, print advertising outlook, capital spending plans, printing sales, and the recession's effect on print. The update is a product of NAPL's Printing Economic Research Center.

According to Andrew D. Paparozzi, NAPL vice president and chief economist, "This recession has been broad as well as deep, hitting printing companies of all sizes from the top line to the bottom line. I see weakness continuing through the first half of 2002, with a meaningful upturn beginning after midyear and accelerating rapidly in 2003."

He notes that the December reading of NAPL's Printing Business Index (PBI) was 38.8, an indication that more printers are reporting that business is slowing down rather than picking up. The PBI is a broad-based measurement of industry indicators that signal an increase in business activity when the PBI is 50 and above and business decline when the measures slips below 50.

The report is available on a multimedia CD for $100. To order, call NAPL at (800) 642-6275, or visit napl.org.