Machinery

"It's by no means anywhere near as awful as the headline number makes it look," one analyst says.

Some are doing well enough that they don't need to borrow in order to expand and improve.

This week, the Census Bureau will report how many manufactured durable goods businesses ordered in May. Many manufacturers haven't been making as many products, but certain types of equipment are still in high demand.

Solid earnings posted by the farm equipment maker show many farmers had cash to spend, but that's no guarantee for the year ahead.

They're the "supporting actress waiting in the wings," says the BBC's Helene Schumacher.