Extrusion Process Tracker & Forecaster
| Latest Month |
Previous Month |
Year Ago |
YTD % Change |
Annual % Change |
| 2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
| 255.9 |
262.8 |
254.9 |
-10.0 |
3.2 |
4.0 |
-4.0 |
Sheet Business Index
Return to Extrusion Business Index
Though this is a small market segment, the Sheet Business Index (1990=100) encompasses a wide variety of products. Data from the sheet sector correlate with trends in the construction, retail, and foodservice industries.
 The Sheet Business Index held steady in the latest month when compared with a year ago. This followed a 6% gain during the previous month.
Compared with the previous year, this Index decreased by 6% during the second quarter of 2008. This followed a decline of 14% in the first quarter. Prior to this recent decline, the sheet market was one of the fastest growing segments of the plastics industry.
The U.S. economy will experience below-average growth during the next few months. This will inhibit demand for plastic sheet products in the near-term, but the market growth will regain some momentum later in 2008.
After a rise of 4% in 2007, our Sheet Business Index is forecast to decline by 4% in 2008.
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