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ISA Quarterly Economic Report Shows Industry Poised to Reap Benefits in an Improving Economy

ISA Quarterly Economic Report Shows Industry Poised to Reap Benefits in an Improving Economy

Alexandria, VA – July 13, 2017 — As the U.S. economy grows, sign, graphics and visual communications companies are on pace to benefit, according to the ISA Sign Industry Quarterly Economic Report for the second quarter of 2017. 

The ISA Sign Industry Quarterly Economic Report forecasts into 2019. It assesses four segments: two supplier markets, printing and electrical/digital signage, and two end markets, electric/digital signage and architectural signage. It also forecasts commodities, a new addition for this report. The Economic Report, prepared in June, is sponsored by the National Association of Sign Supply Distributors (NASSD).

Overall, the trends are positive for the sign, graphic and visual communications industry. Supply side has a strongly positive outlook for both 2017 and 2018, showing large improvements over last quarter’s mark, in large part due to the bump in business investment at the beginning of 2017. Business fixed investment increased at an annual 11.4% rate in the first quarter, the strongest gain in five years. Construction spending will likely drop in the second quarter, but then rebound solidly in the second half and post sizable gains early next year as spending from additional infrastructure kicks in.

Other highlights:

  • For suppliers in the printing industry, the outlook is strongly positive over the course of the forecast following a down year in 2016.
  • Expectations improved quite a bit for suppliers to the electronic and digital sectors of the market, with big upticks in both 2017 and 2018 after a relatively difficult year in 2016.  
  • The outlook for end market electric and digital signs remains strong through 2018.  While growth is forecast to slow in 2019 it will remain well above the historical trend.
  • The end market for architectural signage will continue to capitalize on favorable conditions through at least the end of 2018.

The report, compiled by IHS and Vandiver Associates, analyzes each segment of the market upstream and downstream to allow users to stay current with evolving business conditions.
Those interested in learning more about the ISA Sign Industry Quarterly Economic Report, how 2016 ended and the outlook for 2017-2018 can participate in a free webinar hosted by IHS at 2 p.m. ET July 19. Register at www.signs.org/webinars

The report is free for ISA, ISA Affiliated Association and NASSD members. Non-members may purchase it for $1,000 per forecast. This research can be accessed at www.signs.org/quarterlyreport.

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