Wednesday, March 17, 2010

How's Manufacturing doing in the U.S. Economy Today


I thought that I'd give you a look at how manufacturing in general is looking in the U.S. today. A good friend of mine, writes monthly comments on the government reported statistics on GDP. His name is John Leyden and here's how to find him:
John Layden
Prevel Technology
317-842-6417
jlayden@preveltech.com

The economic data in durable goods has shown additional signs of slow but stable growth.  There are no signs of a strong or rapid recovery.  However, there are still no direct signs of a double dip recession, although concerns over commercial real estate loans are getting a lot of attention.  Residential housing market remains depressed.

With all the attention focused on the health care debate you may have missed the news on energy supplies.  New mega-field oil discoveries are at an all time high, estimated and proven reserves are at an all time high and soaring, natural gas is nearing a 100 year supply (20 years is normal).  Exxon “unexpectedly” reported new discoveries at 133% of production for the 16th consecutive year. But the US government continues to block development.

-          GDP for Q4 was 1.5% above Q3. Annualized at 5.9%.
-          Industrial production was up 1% month-to-month.
-          Durable goods new orders increased 2.6% in January.  December revised to +1.8%.
-          Durable goods shipments declined slightly; now balanced with orders.
-          Durable goods employment stabilized
-          Durable goods deliveries are still slow (average 5.5 months). Typical level is almost a third faster.
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-          Autos remained at the “new normal” (depressed) level.  Capacity utilization is flat at 51%.
-          Single family housing starts and sales declined. New single family for sale at an all time low.
-          There are calls for the resignation of the head of the UN-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in the wake of manipulated and fabricated evidence.  He was the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore.   Moves in Congress to block EPA attempt to regulate CO2 as  pollutant are surfacing.
tjos was just a summary, so if you'd like the whole GDP report just e-mail John at Preval Tech
 
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

The difference Americans and those who seek to represent us.

As an American and as a manufacturer that has to earn a buck in this climate of spiraling Health costs and probably escalating taxes, I worry about where Washington is taking us. I can't take credit for this little story, but I will pass it along to you since it clearly points to why we need sweeping changes in the cast of characters that we send to our Capital in the name of "representing we the people"
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A small town had a local barber shop, and one day the florist from down the street and walked in to get a hair cut. He sat in the chair and the barber proceeded to give him his usual hair cut.After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.The florist was pleased and left the shop.
When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door. 

Later, a cop came in for a haircut, and when he tried to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing 
community service this week. 

The cop too was happy and left the shop.          
 

The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door. 

Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you.  I'm 
doing community service this week.'  The Congressman was very happy and left the shop. 

The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut. 

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.
         Just a short commentary on who we sent to Washington from:
                           The "Wiz"