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With the marketing sector seeing strong gains, Southridge Capital has started to compile research. Norbert J. Ore chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Manufacturing Business Survey Committee said, “The manufacturing sector grew for the eighth consecutive month during March”.

The PMI has indicated that the rate of growth is the fastest since July 2004. Mr. Ore also stated that out of the 17 industries tracked; only Plastics & Rubber had a contraction last month.

Inflation has been kept in check since these positive numbers have been registered. Southridge Capital is optimistic since the economy is still undergoing positive growth.

Recent reports have shown the retail market saw strong gains for 5 consecutive weeks. All major retail groups have seen their sales increase.

Since consumer spirits are up in concern to the economy, they tend to allocate more money to there spending. Hence, you see the gains in these sectors. Over the last 2 years, companies waited for consumers to open there wallets, but some could no longer wait. We can remember some of the bigger companies that fell victim to this: Filene’s Basement, Chrysler, Fortunoff, GM, Eddie Bauer and Circuit City all filed Chapter 11 during this time frame. It is our feeling that consumers are finally turning the corner.

Mattel’s Barbie Doll is one company that has been able to hold its own during these times. Barbie Doll sales in the United States have seen an increase in four straight quarters.

Global sales for Mattel’s Barbie doll also rose 3 percent. Mattel, Inc., (NASDAQ:MAT) did a survey, and voted on making a Barbie doll as computer engineer. Mattel has over 125 different ‘looks’ to it star, and is trading just about at its 52 week high. It’s good to see that there is still enough discretionary income in the system for a Barbie.

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