Businesses that responded indicated that they expect unit costs to increase by 2.1% over the course of the next year. Compared to the same time last year, businesses that responded said their unit costs were up by 1.8%. Inflation uncertainty rose by 2.5%.
Sales level compared to “normal” conditions remained virtually unchanged, with roughly 59% of firms indicating that sales levels were at or above normal.
Profit margins demonstrated no improvement, with about 48% of firms indicating that their profit margins were at or above the normal level. This was a rise of 1% from the previous level of 47% in August.
The most recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) had suggested a move toward deflation in the month of August.
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