THE BASIS POINT

Small Business Optimism Remains Weak.

 

NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (March 2016)

– Level  92.6. Previous was 92.9.

This is weak but mixed.  Plans for capital were strong but business is having difficulty finding skilled people to fill job openings.

 
Import and Export Prices  (March 2016)

– Import Prices month/month  +0.2%. Previous was -0.4%
– Export Prices month/month  +0.0%. Previous was -0.5%
– Import Prices year/year   -6.2%. Previous was -6.1%
– Export Prices year/year   -6.1%. Previous was -6.0%

Import prices are about the price of crude oil.  Export prices are a reflection of the state of the world economy. The zero change in Export prices markets the first time in ten months that Export Prices did not fall.

 

Redbook Chain Store Sales (week ended 4/9/2016)

– Chain Store Sales year/year +1.1%. Previous was +0.6%

 

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