This week on TrendsTalk, Taylor St. Germain reviews the latest data showing manufacturing’s growth rate accelerating after a tough 2024. While some sectors like heavy-duty trucks, medical equipment, and light vehicle production remain under pressure, the outlook points to recovery in 2025 and broad-based growth by 2026. Will your business be ready to keep up with the pace of expansion?

Positive Manufacturing Outlook for 2026

This week on TrendsTalk, Taylor St. Germain from ITR Economics unpacks the latest leading indicators for the US Industrial Economy. While growth is still on the horizon for 2026, several key indicators are moving sideways, signaling a milder rise than previous recovery cycles. What does this mean for capacity planning and business strategy? Tune in to learn why understanding not just the direction but also the amplitude of growth is critical for accurate forecasting and planning.

Mild Industrial Growth Ahead with Sideways Indicators

This week on TrendsTalk, Taylor St. Germain breaks down where US exports and imports are growing, which countries are losing ground, and why the EU has emerged as the clear trade “winner” in 2025. Despite these changes, the US remains the top destination for foreign direct investment, a key driver for onshoring, reshoring, and long-term industrial growth. What will this mean for manufacturers and business leaders heading into 2026?

How 2025 Tariffs Are Reshaping Global Investment

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain examines how soaring data center construction is fueling record-high electricity prices and what that means for your business. With U.S. electric power costs hitting new highs, companies face growing challenges tied to infrastructure strain and future energy policy changes.

Rising Energy Costs Could Threaten Business Growth

This week on TrendsTalk, Taylor St. Germain from ITR Economics breaks down the current labor market conditions and what they mean for your business strategy. With just over one unemployed person per job opening, there’s slight slack in the market, but not for long.

Find out why the next 6 to 9 months may be your best window for hiring before tightening conditions and wage pressures hit hard. Taylor also covers workforce demographics, rising labor costs, and how AI and automation can help offset the people problem.

Slight Slack in the Labor Market Before Tightening Returns

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain revisits ITR Economics’ long-standing forecast of a 2030s depression and outlines how businesses can prepare today. Taylor reveals which U.S. states are best positioned for success and which face greater risk based on ten key economic and demographic factors. Learn where your organization may find opportunity as the next decade approaches.

The Safest States for Business Growth During the 2030s Depression

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain provides an update on the US Economic Policy Uncertainty Index. After record highs earlier this year, uncertainty has been cut in half, setting the stage for accelerating growth in both CAPEX and Industrial Production. Taylor explains why this shift supports ITR Economics’ positive outlook through 2026 and what it means for business leaders preparing for expansion. Are you ready to keep pace with growth?

Economic Uncertainty and What It Means for 2026 Growth

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain shares an update on the US Single-Unit Housing market. While affordability remains a challenge, ITR Economics forecasts the housing market is approaching its low point in 2025, followed by growth in 2026 and 2027. Taylor breaks down where affordability is improving, which states are most affected, and why the data points to better years ahead for developers and suppliers. Are you ready for the next housing cycle?

US Housing Market Nears Bottom: Growth Ahead for 2026 and 2027

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down the latest data on US Private Nonresidential Construction and explains why the current downturn is expected to remain mild. Taylor highlights what the most reliable leading indicators are telling us and outlines when businesses should begin preparing for the next growth cycle in 2026.

What Leading Indicators Show for 2026 Commercial Construction

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Michael Feuz explains why 2026 is setting up to deliver more economic growth than 2025. He highlights the key “ingredients of growth” already in motion, from resilient consumer spending to rising B2B activity and expanding corporate cash levels. Michael also addresses a critical pain point for leaders: margin pressures that will intensify as growth accelerates.

How should businesses prepare for this next phase? Tune in for guidance on capacity planning, efficiency, and protecting the bottom line. What steps are you taking to get ready?

Why 2026 Is Shaping Up To Be a Strong Growth Year

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Economic Uncertainty and What It Means for 2026 Growth

TrendsTalk with ITR Economics

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