Exuberant levels of consumer confidence, household borrowing and domestic spending continued to fuel domestic economic activity and enhance business confidence.

197

The January survey results imply that trade conditions may not be as vigorous as they were in 2004 and 2005, but expectations are still quite high. Fewer new orders and a slow down in supplier delivery negatively affected trade conditions in January.

168

A similar seasonal pattern occurred in 2004 but then the TAI retracted only four index points from the November index compared to six points in 2005.

139

Export volumes and manufacturing output are playing more important roles in affecting the business mood.

136