World Industry Barometers:
A New Tool to Assess Industry Vulnerability

Which industries are the winners and losers in the current difficult economic environment? Many are asking this question, but the view is clouded by slower economic growth, tougher credit conditions, expensive energy, and other related factors.

In addition, many observers are looking past the current difficult phase in the business cycle to determine which industries have the best prospects for when the business cycle turns up again, as it will surely do at some point.

1. A Credit Crunch Barometer of vulnerability to a prolonged credit crunch
2. A Barometer of Vulnerability to a Severe U.S. Recession
3. A Barometer of which industries are Best Positioned for Cyclical Recovery

• What if the credit crunch lingers far longer than is currently believed? Which industries are most vulnerable to a prolonged credit crunch? Which industries are best positioned to survive a severe credit environment?
  
  
• What if the slowdown in the U.S. economy turns out to be far more severe and lengthy than we currently expect? If that were to occur, which industries are most vulnerable and which are best positioned to survive a severe U.S. recession?
  
  
• Once the period of slow growth has passed, as it surely will do at some point, then which industries are best positioned to take advantage of the cyclical recovery?