(Bloomberg) – The U.S. economic downturn deepened in September and October as the credit crisis intensified, reports showed Thursday. Industrial output fell 6 percent in the third quarter, the most since 1991, and a factory index for the Philadelphia region hit an 18-year low this month, Federal Reserve figures showed. For the first time in two years, consumer prices didn’t increase for two straight months, the Labor Department said, but homebuilder confidence slid this month to the lowest level since record-keeping began in 1985.
The numbers give the Fed scope to lower interest rates again this month. Stocks slid on Thursday and interest-rate futures showed rising expectations of a half-point cut in the Fed’s benchmark to 1 percent by policy makers’ next meeting on Oct. 29.
Consumer prices were restrained by declines in fuel costs, automobile prices and airline fares, the Labor Department figures showed. The consumer price index was unchanged in September after a 0.1-percent drop in August. So-called core prices, which exclude food and energy, rose 0.1 percent, also less than forecast.
Ok, so what do you do about it? Now, is the time to be proactive. Strengthen your marketing by systemizing it. I also recommend finding a person that has been there done that when it comes to bad times. Ignoring what is going on around you is idiotic. Remember, the stock marketing is supposed to be somewhat of a future indicator for your business. Are you ready?
,