Chemical manufacturers’ assessment of their own company’s activity level (e.g., sales, production, output) deteriorated for the fourth consecutive quarter, according to findings from ACC’s Chemical Manufacturing Economic Sentiment Index (ESI). Sentiment around major customer market demand was also negative in Q4. New orders and production levels were down in Q4, and industry employment levels declined. Chemical manufacturers expect demand to recover and their own company’s activity levels to improve over the short-term outlook period. The short-term outlook readings for new orders and production levels were positive. While chemical manufacturers’ sentiment around the state of the economy – US and global – remained negative in Q4, their outlook is for improvement over the coming six months.