Fair weather ahead: That’s the economic forecast for 2018. Business operations should benefit from an improving employment picture, growing disposable consumer income and an easy credit environment.

“The United States economy continues to power forward,” says Sophia Koropeckyj, Managing Director of Industry Economics at Moody’s Analytics, a research firm based in West Chester, PA. “Furthermore, for the first time during the nation’s eight-year expansion, there are no serious impediments to growth.”

Brisk tail winds should keep the economy in full sail for the near future. “Consumers are benefiting from a strong job market; their balance sheets are healthy, and credit ...