Prices inch up, but buyers are optimistic about business ahead

By Staff -- Purchasing, 10/7/1999

ALTHOUGH PRICES CONTINUE TO INCH UP, BUYERS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT BUSINESS CONDITIONS, AND MATERIALS AVAILABILITY REMAINS GOOD. Sixty-five percent of buyers are expecting better business in six months time, down only by two points from last month. An even bigger majority of buyers say materials availability conditions are in a good position. Eight-two percent of buyers surveyed say materials availability is normal. That's a two point increase over last month.

Stability is the name of the game for both physical inventories and capital spending levels. Seventy percent report physical inventories as the same when compared with last month. Only 22% report lowering inventories, an increase of two points. For capital spending, 65% say levels are the same as last month. Twenty-three percent say they're increasing those levels. That's a rise of three points. Only 12% are seeing capital spending decline.

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