While there are a number of factors that are currently contributing to this country’s economic condition, perhaps the most frustrating one for the marketplace to address is the number of issues for which time can only provide an answer. So as investors, consumers, distributors and manufacturers all wait for the uncertainty surrounding; a new White House agenda, the pending automotive bailout decision, final holiday retail expenditures and potential interest rate adjustments, here are some of the leading economic indicators that will impact sales, and as a potential result, funding for new product development:

• The November Purchasing Manager's Index for non-manufacturing was down better than 7 percent, to 37.3 (anything below 50 for these indexes represent contraction, while numbers above 50 show expansion). Similarly, employment levels were down 10.2 percent, prices 17 percent and although inventory levels improved somewhat, they were still way too high at 65 percent.
• In the manufacturing realm the index drops were not as drastic, but it still stood at the negative level of 36.2. Whereas employment numbers only dropped 0.4 percent from October to November, prices were down nearly 12 percent.
• Manufacturing Technology Consumption Rates were $273.85 million in October, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology and the American Machine Tool Distributors Association. This is down from $404.36 million last year at the same time.
• On a positive note, Consumer Confidence levels increased to 44.9 percent in November from 38.8 percent in October. These numbers are based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households. The increase offered some retail outlets a glimmer of hope heading into what is expected to be a down holiday shopping season. Final results will be available in upcoming PD&D Market Trend Reports.
• Staying nearly even were exchange rates. Currently 1 U.S. dollar equates to 0.65 English pounds; 1.22 Canadian dollars and 0.72 Euros.
• Oil prices also continue to drop, with a barrel currently residing at $43.24 and the average gallon of gas holding below $2 at $1.66.