Industry Week reported manufacturers are becoming more confident in the economy as we approach the end of 2012.
 
According to the report, the latest National Association of Manufacturers/IndustryWeek Survey of Manufacturers shows, 80.2% of NAM members responding to the survey have a positive outlook -- up from 65.4% in September 2011.

The Industry Week report states that while this measure is still below the 86.4% reading from June, it reflects a turnaround in confidence.
 
The report also indicates that even though uncertainties remain, particularly with regard to European sovereign debt, business confidence is clearly higher, which is boosting expectations for 2012.