Recent Updates
- Euro area: Flash Consumer Confidence (Oct), ECB Banking Lending Survey (Q4)
- US: Philadelphia Fed Nonmfg Business Outlook (Oct); Richmond Fed Mfg & Service Sector Surveys (Oct)
- Spain: Bank Lending Survey (Q4), International Trade Summary, Construction Permits (Aug)
- Macao: Visitor Arrivals (Sep)
- Singapore: Housing & Development Board Annual Report (2017)
- South Africa: Leading Indicators (Oct)
- Romania: Central Bank Balance Sheet, MFI Deposits,
- more updates...
Economy in Brief
U.S. Energy Prices Ease
Gasoline prices fell four cents last week to an average $2.84 per gallon (+14.6% y/y)...
German PPI Makes Sharp Gain on Rising Energy Costs
The German PPI rose by a strong 0.6% in September, but the PPI excluding energy gained just 0.1%...
FIBER: Industrial Commodity Prices Fall Further
The FIBER Industrial Materials Price Index declined 1.3% during the last four weeks...
Japan’s METI Sector Indexes Rebound But Still Lag
Japan's economy continues to fight for revival...
U.S. Existing Home Sales Continue to Weaken, Dragging Down Prices
The NAR reported that sales of existing homes during September declined 3.4% to 5.150 million...
by Tom Moeller April 18, 2005
The 1Q '05 Composite Business Index published by the Manufacturers' Alliance/MAPI improved slightly to 71 from 70 the prior quarter.
Since 1992 there has been a 68% correlation between the Composite Index Level and quarterly growth in factory sector output.
The current orders index improved a point to 90. The export orders index also nudged up a point to 90, but that was a new record level.
The profit margins index slipped modestly for the second quarter but remained near a record level and capital spending intentions for the coming year fell modestly.
For the latest press release from the MAPI click here. 
| Manufacturers' Alliance/MAPI Survey | 1Q '05 | 4Q '04 | 1Q '04 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composite Business Index | 71 | 70 | 78 | 76 | 67 | 60 |
