b'YOUR TOOLKIT FOR BUILDING EXCELLENCEare focusing more on cash flow preservation by# Inflationslowing hiring, and being less aggressive in leasingIf we get stubbornly high inflation, that will prevent and purchasing equipment, particularly equipmentfurther progress on interest rate, said Basu.impacted by tariff pricing. Oxford Economics still expects the nation to avoid This generalized business hesitation is evidenced ina recession, and the expected 2% GDP growth is the numbers.We look for business investment toright around the level economists peg as the nations increase by only 1.6% in 2026, after rising by 3% innatural growth rateone that supports business 2025 3.6% in 2024, said Yaros.activity, maintains full employment, and avoids Looking ahead triggering inflation. As we enter the early months of 2026, economistsPerhaps of even greater importance, though, is a suggest that companies in the construction industrylittle heralded threat to productivity. One thing that watch these key economic indicators for an idea ofsort of permeates the whole economic picture right how the year will turn out: now is the nations low population growth rate, # Employment said Conerly. Immigration is down, due to Trump administration policy. The next generation entering I would pay close attention to the unemploymenttheir working years is about the same size as the rate, said Yaros. An unexpected decline inretiring boomers, so there will be no net growth in the employment would spur faster interest rate cuts aslabor force.the Fed seeks to reinforce economic expansion. Responding to this trend, companies in the # Consumer spending construction industry will look for ways to maximize How is the consumer faring? poses Basu. Bear intheir return on labor by increasing output per worker, mind that many low and middle income people arenoted Conerly. The focus of businesses in 2026 will exhausted financially. Indebtedness and delinquenciesbe increasing productivitynot by whipping people are up for credit cards, mortgages and loans.harder, but by providing them with better tools, better training, and better first-level managersPREMIUM HIGH PERFORMANCE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT DOORS NEW!.24 Series 92Fiberglass DoorProgramTotal Opening U-Value - NFRC 10092FG - Smooth & Wood GrainPlycos complete line of products Panel surpasses building codes and customer - Thermal Break Frameexpectations through stringent testing and System in 3 Framequality standards. Sizes 60FG - Smooth Panel Options in White or Black800.558.5895 - 4 9/16 Steel Frameplyco.com11 Panel Options: - Smooth, Wood Grain and Direct Set Glass FRAME BUILDER - VOL6 6 / 37'