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The report also made these
observations:
Sales:
Sales trends remain overwhelmingly negative for small
employers, with still more owners reporting declining sales
than experiencing positive sales trends
Job
Creation:
Job creation was positive in January, but ever-so-slight.
Overall, 11 percent of surveyed owners (unchanged) reported
adding over the past few months, and nine percent reduced
employment (down 4 points), seasonally adjusted. But the
vast majority—the remaining 80 percent of owners—made no net
change in employment.
Inventories:
The pace of inventory reduction continued in January, with a
net negative seven percent of all owners reporting growth in
inventories (seasonally adjusted), 3 points better than
December, but still more owners reducing stocks than adding
to them.
Capital
Spending:
The frequency of reported capital outlays over the past six
months rose 3 points to 55 percent. Of those making
expenditures, 39 percent of owners reported spending on new
equipment (up 3 points), 21 percent acquired vehicles (up 3
points), and 12 percent improved or expanded facilities
(down 1 point). Five percent acquired new buildings or land
for expansion (down 1 point) and 11 percent spent money for
new fixtures and furniture (unchanged). Overall, there was
no sign that capital spending might be returning to levels
more consistent with past recovery periods.
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