Right now, the corporate sector is cautious on investment because of weak profits and poor stock prices.
On the other, cash flow is holding up well, despite weaker profits, giving business the wherewithal to spend more.
Many economists had expected capital spending plans to fall in the midst of the recession and weak corporate profits.
The stock market ended the week lower after many companies either reported weaker quarterly profits or announced that they would.
The increases come in the midst of a recession and weak corporate profits.
With corporate earnings due out soon, the market still faces widespread fears of weaker profits.
Stock prices plunged in response to the employment numbers and to new reports of weak corporate profits.
Companies with weak profits are disappearing as the generic industry consolidates.
Chemicals and refining have been weak this year, so lower profits there were not surprising.
They focused more on a sputtering economy and weak corporate profits.