U.S. Sales Managers See Continuing Growth, but Prices Rise Fast Again in December


 
All US Sales Managers Indexes registered growth in economic activity levels in December.


But all fell back a little from the levels reached in November, as the Federal Reserve's interest rises took the shine off already uncertain confidence.

Business Confidence among sales managers continued its fall back from the more optimistic views expressed in October, to significantly more cautious views on the likelihood of growth in economic activity over the next few months, including of course the festive season.

The Sales Managers Index, summarising trends in sales growth, confidence and staffing, consequently dipped below the levels registered in October and November, although remaining above the 50 "no growth" level.

The most negative aspect of the December data is without doubt the Prices Index, which continues to reflect significant price increases across many product and service sectors. Price inflation has very not yet been vanquished, so the strong likelihood is of continuing increases in interest rates for some time.
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