Sentiment going forward is cautious, which seems to be a trend in this economic recovery cycle, but capital spending plans are firm, indicating that companies are continuing to push ahead in business activity despite a...

Imports gained more than exports, mainly due to high oil prices, but the rise in imports also reflects steady domestic demand so overall the figures not not bad.

They can clarify the thinking behind a policy change by using the report to suggest the economic recovery will continue and prices will not turn down again.

The diffusion index was slightly weaker than expected but capital spending plans by big firms weren’t bad for the start of a business year.

It wouldn’t be strange to see them continue to fall but they could also rise, and that would be because more people are willing to take risks and start up new businesses on the back...

As companies have finished restructuring and the economy is expected to keep growing next year, you don’t have to be pessimistic about a rise in the jobless rate in a single month.

Although the trade surplus declined for the ninth straight month, both exports and imports were up strongly in December.

With the economy in a slump and corporate earnings continuing to deteriorate, this pressure is unlikely to subside anytime soon.