Check out malaise among consumer products executives.
 
In the third quarter, only 29 percent of consumer products company executives were optimistic about the prospects for the U.S. economy over the next 12 months, a sharp drop from 53 percent in the prior quarter, a new PricewaterhouseCoopers’ survey showed.
 
But they still think revenue will rise an average of 6.8 percent over the next 12 months, up from an average forecast of 6.3 percent in the prior quarter. And 21 percent expect double-digit growth.
 
The weak dollar has helped boost international sales for many consumer products companies, as sales in other currencies are worth more dollars on U.S. company balance sheets.
 
Energy costs are most frequently cited as a potential barrier to growth, with 59 percent of executives citing this factor as a reason for concern. Worries about demand were cited by 37 percent and concerns about decreasing profitability were cited by 36 percent.
 
Only 32 percent of executives who responded plan to ad new hires, down from 40 percent in the second quarter, while 37 percent plan major new capital investments over the next 12 months, down from 51 percent in the previous quarter.
 
But on the bright side, only 9 percent plan to reduce their workforce.
 
Also in the basket:
 
Neiman Marcus Nov. same-store sales up 5.8 pct
 
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