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Industry expresses waning confidence.

Fewer owners and managers of small manufacturing companies during the third quarter expressed confidence in their business prospects for the next 12 months, according to the Small Business Research Board.

The Manufacturing Industry Small Business Confidence Index declined to 38.33 or

nearly two points from the 40.3 that was reported during the second quarter of 2007, according to the poll. The current manufacturing industry index is also lower than the SBCI of 43 reported for all U.S. small businesses.

The lower index resulted largely from a change in revenue predictions. Poll tabulations showed that 45% are expecting revenues to increase during the next 12 months, a seven-point decline from the previous quarter.

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