Editor Allan Leibowitz comments on the news of the week

Most markets have been buoyed by the International Monetary Fund's latest forecast of stronger economic recovery this year and next. The recovery follows last year's pandemic-driven contraction of 3.3%. The IMF is tipping 6% growth this year and 4.4% next year. We are already seeing recovery in materials handling, with a report this week from the Industrial Truck Association noting healthy first quarter results in North America after falls last year. The next few weeks should be interesting as we start seeing detailed financial results from the big players around the world.