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DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer decreased 0.2%
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For the week ending March 19, 2011, the DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer declined by -0.2 percent, weighed down by declines in auto production, and lumber and steel production. The latest reading from the barometer could be reflecting the possible impact to U.S. factory activity from the Japan earthquake, which has resulted in supply disruptions of important Japanese-made components, especially needed in the production of U.S. electronics and autos. Reports of U.S. factories cutting shifts to stretch supplies or worse, conducting layoffs, have emerged over the past few weeks.
On a year-over-year basis, the barometer slowed to +2.7 percent in the week ending March 19, 2011, which compares to an average -3.3 percent decline over the Great Recession (determined to have ended in June 2009 according to the NBER). After flat lining in 2006, and declining from 2007 through 2009, the barometer bounced back in 2010 to rise by +3.4 percent, which was the strongest increase since 1994 (+4.0%), but not so impressive when you compare it to an -8.0 percent drop in 2009.
Posted: March 31, 2011 Thursday 10:00 AM