ChangeWave’s latest corporate quarterly survey shows a slowdown in U.S. economic growth – led by lower 2nd Quarter corporate sales projections, a downturn in the 3rd Quarter sales pipeline, and weaker capital spending.

The May 21-June 4 survey of 2,716 corporate respondents also shows pullbacks at the sector level this quarter, with Semiconductors and Natural Gas & Oil taking the biggest hits.

On the upside, the availability of credit is continuing to ease for businesses. Moreover, the slowdown in growth has helped reverse the spike in inflationary pressures seen in our previous two quarterly surveys. But while downward price pressures are good for consumers, they can also eventually lead to declining business margins as well.

Report details include:

• Next Quarter Corporate Sales Pipeline Projections
• Current Quarter Corporate Sales Trends – U.S. Economy
• Overall Capital Budget Increases/Decreases
• Job Market Hiring and Layoff Trends
• Price and Inflationary Pressures in the Current Marketplace
• Impact of the Credit Market on Corporate Ability to Borrow
• Ability to Purchase Commodities
• Cancelled Orders
• Inventory Buildups and Declines
• Changes in Order Backlogs

The Complete Corporate Business Trends Report is available here.