Downward trade index arrested

THERE’S BEEN a slight improvement in the latest Sacob/Standard Bank SA trade management indices (SATMI), indicating that the downward trend has been arrested. After softening in December to a January low of 52, and “moving sideways” in February, the March trade activity index (TAI) - at 53.9 - indicates slightly better conditions. But only the next surveys will show how sustainable that is.