With still strong domestic demand and improving international demand, the factory sector is continuing to recover from the sluggishness that resulted from the Asian economic crisis,

Despite improving international economies, the strong dollar is limiting the expected rebound in exports.

The sharp slowing in domestic demand has dramatically reduced imports. Weakening economic activity in our major trading partners has significantly reduced the foreign demand for American-made products.

Domestic demand has been nowhere close to strong or impressive.

Demand is very strong for all sectors in mining. The reason I buy the coal mining sector is because electricity demand for Indonesia is rising.

The gains in imports are a sign of strong domestic demand and show how resilient the economy is now. With growth in the U.S. and other export markets set to accelerate, exports will be strong for some time.