On 16 Jan 2006 04:07:01 GMT, D Murphy wrote:

Up from the previous year which was the claim.

Not mine. I mentioned the reported declines in Oct, Nov & Dec 2005.

I'll guarantee that in 2006 October sales will be down from September. Care
to wager? Just name your price.

You think it's a seasonal effect (IIRC I mentioned that too) or the
start of a trend?

So it's
not going to be possible for 2005 sales to be less than 2004 as they
are already higher.

But down for October, November & December compared to prior
months ....

December sales could be zero and total sales will still be higher for 2005
than for 2004.

So? What does 2004 have to do with those three months in 2005?

Current sales have never been a good indicator of future sales.

That's interesting.

Just ask the companies that were in the midst of big expansions in 1999 and 2000.

Umm ..... perhaps month to month trends ....

When that figure goes above
80% machine tool sales take off into record breaking levels. Right now
utilization stands at 78.5%. Which follows a four plus year trend of
increases.

So why did sales drop?


They didn't. Look at sales when capacity was at say 68% and look at sales
at 78.5%, then tell me which is bigger.

Better yet compare the historical data and tell me when there was no demand
for machine tools when capacity was at 80% plus.

I'd guess that you don't get to count all those closed plants or the
equipment sold as scrap Iron to China as US capacity any more.
--
Cliff