Q4 economic outlook forecasts 7.9 percent growth in equipment and software in 2018

After solid growth in 2017, investment in equipment and software should remain strong in 2018 and is projected to expand 7.9 percent (up from 7.0 percent in the Q3 Economic Outlook published in July) according to the Q4 update to the “2018 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook” released by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation.

Strong economic momentum should drive investment activity through the rest of the year, though certain industries appear to be peaking and may begin to weaken in the months ahead. Overall, the economy is expected to grow 2.9 percent in 2018, unchanged from the most recent forecast and well above last year’s 2.2 percent growth rate. The report, which is focused on the $1 trillion equipment leasing and finance industry, highlights key trends in equipment investment and places them in the context of the broader U.S. economic climate.

Jeffry D. Elliott, foundation chairman and senior managing director of Huntington Equipment Finance, said, “The equipment finance industry appears to be on sound footing with solid growth prospects in the months ahead. Overall, investment in most equipment verticals should remain healthy through the remainder of 2018 and into early 2019.”