Although the wider lead indicators in the US still show little sign of recession, there are growing indications that the market for capital equipment there is softening: after Hewlett-Packard Co’s slowdown in US orders during the first quarter, Xerox Corp is saying that April sales of business equipment in the first quarter were 3% to 4% down on those for a year ago, following a trend that began in the first quarter; overseas sales are vibrant.
US MARKET FOR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT IS SOFTENING
