The (auto) sector continues to face ongoing competitive challenges, as manufacturers shed a further 1,200 payrolls during December, bringing the 2005 job losses to 100,400.

Our acquisition team continues to pursue attractive brokerages and we anticipate further expansion through acquisitions in 2006. While our strong cash flow is generally sufficient for most acquisition funding, we will continue to investigate and evaluate all avenues for expansion capital.

It doesn't mean that much for the auto sector. There may be some fallout from the other suppliers, but everyone knows this is a very difficult situation, it's probably going to get worse before it gets better.

It is December, and nobody asked if I was ready.

The factory sector continues to grow at a fast rate, probably further absorbing existing capacity. We look for healthy increases in both industrial production and factory usage.

Techs are up, because the selling is basically done for now. The sector has been so out of favor, with everybody downgrading it, that you're getting this end-of-the-quarter bounce.