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Johannesburg – The Trade Activity Index (TAI), which reflects current trade conditions, added one index point and remained in positive territory at 52 in October from 51 in September, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said on Thursday.
SACCI said that the recent improvement in trade conditions emerges from weak and volatile performances since the beginning of 2010.
The October 2010 TAI was only slightly above the October 2009 level of 51.
The September TAI reading was the first positive print in three months. SACCI added that the improved level of the sales volumes index in September was sustained in October with a slight change to 58 from 59.
All the components of the TAI changed marginally between September and October but were at much higher levels than in August.
Supplier deliveries were better than in the first half of 2010 where the index averaged 46. This component was at 54 in October.
The index on selling prices was stable at 52 while the input price index also decreased by only one point to 56 in October.
Trade expectations, as measured by the Trade Expectations Index (TEI), was unchanged at 60 in October as expectations steadied further after moderating from the higher levels seen at the start of 2010.
Expectations for all the components of the TEI were largely maintained in October, with inflationary expectations rising slightly as both the selling and input price indices increased marginally by one and two index points to 61 and 70 respectively.
Employment conditions in the trade environment remained in negative territory in October, which has been the case since May 2010. The index on employment conditions was at 45 in October.
The employment prospects index, which looks six months ahead, dipped by a further two points to 47 in October after entering negative territory for the first time in twelve months in September.
