Upward Momentum Continues

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index™ (ETI) increased in September. The index now stands at 121.68, up from 121.32 (an upward revision) in August. This represents a 6.1 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago.

Key Findings Reveal:

- 41% of US companies have five or more deals in their pipeline

- Middle-market acquisitions to nearly double in the next 12 months

- 55% of executives expect debt to be the primary source of financing inorganic growth

- 48% of US companies will use inorganic growth to drive innovation and shift their businesses' scope

Confidence Retreats Following Four Months of Improvement

 The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had increased in August, declined in September. The Index now stands at 86.0 (1985=100), down from 93.4 in August. The Present Situation Index decreased to 89.4 from 93.9, while the Expectations Index dropped to 83.7 from 93.1 in August.

- US IPO Market Driven by Financial Sponsor-Backed IPOs

- Healthcare and Technology Sectors Continue to Dominate

Asian and European manufacturers can soon go direct to North American production and distribution through a first-of-its-kind, strategic base in the heart of the North American market. The new Global Development Centre (GDC) inChatham-Kent, Ontario, will provide space and a full array of support services to up to 100 small and mid-sized companies as they set up their manufacturing. It is estimated that the project will attract up to$100 million (Canadian) in investment and create up to 500 jobs at full capacity. Design and construction of the centre are scheduled for completion in spring 2016.

Following 2.2% growth in 2014, economy to accelerate to 3.0% in 2015

The American economy is showing renewed vigor and is poised for a pickup in growth, according to a report released today by TD Economics, an affiliate of TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®.

Growth in Semiconductor, Display and Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Markets to Drive Overall Demand for Photomasks in the Country

Over half of the value of B2B receivables more than 90 days overdue were written off as uncollectable by businesses in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States (the Americas).

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Mexico increased 0.1 percent in July to 126.0 (2004 = 100), following a 1.8 percent increase in June and a 1.1 percent increase in May.

Seventy percent of North American printers continue to operate in the black even as top-line challenges in sales remain. Printers participating in this years' Ratios Survey attained average profit rates of 2.6 percent on sales—down slightly from 2.7 percent last year. This is still above the trailing 12-year average profit for all printers of 2.0 percent.

Moderate Growth to Continue Through Holiday Season

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.2 percent in August to 103.8 (2004 = 100), following a 1.1 percent increase in July, and a 0.7 percent increase in June.

Survey Finds Majority of Companies Experiencing Recruiting Challenges