Unless there is a quick rebound in sales, this suggests further weakness in production and declines in inventories over the months ahead.
Our feeling is that markets are not going to rebound magically to a 100-machine market. So you have to learn to work in a very competitive, smaller market.
Despite improving international economies, the strong dollar is limiting the expected rebound in exports.
This month's modest gain indicates that the sharp rebound from the post-Hurricane Katrina meltdown has been completed. The gentle slowing trend that had been in place for much of 2005 may have been halted, but it is too soon to tell with any confidence.