NEW YORK -- Half of U.S. CPG executives are optimistic about the U.S. economy over the next 12 months, down from 72% last quarter. That's according to the Retail & Consumer Industry Practice's Consumer Products Barometer released here yesterday by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Sixty-seven percent are optimistic about the global economy, it reports. Nearly half (48%) are planning major new investments of capital within the next year. Of those companies increasing their investment dollars, most plan to roll out new products/service introductions (64%). "As an industry driven by commodity pricing, consumer products companies are constantly affected by rising input costs and executives are showing concern about the possible impact of inflationary pressures on our economy," said John Maxwell, leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers' Retail & Consumer Industry Practice, in a statement.
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