Many members' comments expressed concern about the continuing rise in oil and gas prices.
This second month of non-manufacturing growth, at a higher rate of growth than in November, appears to indicate that November's growth was not entirely due to a rebound from October's low point following the events of Sept. 11,
Companies are willing to hire more people because they have confidence that at least in the near future, business will be strong.
It's in the high end of the range definitely on the prices paid, ... (Our members are) blaming it all on the cost of oil running up.
Price increases have again become a significant area of concern for many members as a result of recent fuel price increases.
Overall the report indicates that the non-manufacturing sector is moving right along. We seem to have recovered from the hurricanes, even though the index is down slightly.
Our members seem to have digested the energy price increases, and so the direct effect of energy price moves is less.
The service economy is still growing at a reasonable rate, but at least in January it wasn't accelerating. The rate of growth slowed down some.
The overall indication in January is continued economic growth in the non-manufacturing sector, but at slower rates of increase.
The overall indication in December is continued economic growth in the non-manufacturing sector with a cautiously optimistic outlook as we enter 2006.
