The February 2008 edition of the Tatum Monthly Survey of Business Conditions is available with commentary by clicking on the link below.

Business Conditions as of February 1, 2008 suggest persuasively that the economy has entered a period of negative growth which will extend at least through the first quarter 2008. Every indicator in the Tatum February 1 Survey continued to decline. The most telling ratio in the survey compares the portion of respondents who rated overall Business Conditions as Improved –vs- Worsened in the past thirty days. This month the ratio descended to less than one for the first time in the survey’s history. Whether the current situation turns into a Recession will depend on developments in the second quarter. The Fed’s actions have calmed the capital markets but will not have a material effect on business conditions until the second and third quarters. Effects of the fiscal stimulus legislation will begin to occur in the third quarter.

To access the full survey and commentary, click on the link that follows:

February 1, 2008 Tatum Survey of Business Conditions – http://www.tatumllc.com/tatum_survey.aspx

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