By Mark Pender

NEW YORK (MNI) - MNI's U.S. capital goods index slipped 1.2 points in the March 5 period to 32.7, indicating still weak year-on-year business conditions that are masking building strength, according to Market News International's weekly survey released Monday.

The results point to accelerating month-to-month and quarter-to-quarter gains as the sector ascends an incremental upward slope.

By Mark Pender

NEW YORK (MNI) - MNI's U.S. capital goods index edged back for a fourth week in a row, down six-tenths in the Feb. 26 period to a 33.9 level that reflects continued year-on-year declines which are masking month-on-month gains, according to Market News International's weekly survey released Monday.

Industrial producers are reporting rising business activity but warn that customers are still reluctant to make new business investments. Reports of delays tied to weather have so far been limited.

By Mark Pender

NEW YORK (MNI) - MNI's U.S. capital goods index fell back in the Feb. 12 period to 34.5, a sub-50 level reflecting still stubborn year-on-year contraction that masks the solid month-to-month growth underway, according to Market News International's weekly survey.

Boosted by a 3% year-on-year currency benefit for export sales, year-on-year sales for the 441-period sample are -5.8% with month-on-month sales +1.5%.

By Mark Pender

NEW YORK (MNI) - MNI's U.S. capital goods index edged back 1.3 points in the Feb. 12 period to 36.6, reflecting continued year-on-year contraction in business conditions which however are accelerating strongly on a month-to-month basis, according to Market News International's weekly survey.

Year-on-year sales are at -5.0% with the month-to-month rate at +1.5%. But distribution of improvement in the period's 408-company sample is very narrow, which is holding back the headline diffusion index well below the break-even 50 level.

By Mark Pender

NEW YORK (MNI) - MNI's U.S. capital goods index rose 1 point in the Feb. 5 period to 37.9, extending a run of improving readings that indicate easing contraction for year-on-year business conditions, according to Market News International's weekly survey.

Year-on-year sales are quickly recovering, at -4.3% in the latest period for a 4-week average of -8.3% and a 12-week average of -14.0%. But depth is narrow with more than 2-to-1 still reporting big declines in sales vs. big gains, a separation reflected in the 30s handle for the main index.

By Mark Pender

NEW YORK (MNI) - MNI's U.S. capital goods index jumped 6.6 points in the Jan. 29 period to 36.9, its highest level in 14 months to indicate a significant easing of year-on-year decline for the industrial economy, according to Market News International's weekly survey.

By Mark Pender

NEW YORK (MNI) - MNI's capital-goods index jumped sharply for a second straight, up nearly 3-1/2 points in the Jan. 22 period to 30.3, reflecting a sharp easing in year-on-year contraction and driven by a run of strong Q4 earnings that confirm a cycle upturn for the industrial sector, according to the results of Market News International's weekly survey.

By Mark Pender

NEW YORK (MNI) - MNI's capital-goods index jumped nearly 5-1/2 points in the Jan. 15 period to 26.9, driven by a run of strong fourth quarter earnings that point to a cycle upturn for the industrial sector, according to the results of Market News International's weekly survey released Monday.

Sales are at a year-on-year -9.5% with income at -13%. Four-week averages have been rising for about two months in a row with the 12-week average up for about four months in a row.