• International Business Confidence
• Global business confidence held steady last week, but at a very low level. After plunging in August, sentiment remains consistent with an economy that is very near recession. Assessments of present conditions and expectations regarding the six-month outlook are very negative; both falling again last week. Sales are soft and pricing pressures have evaporated. It is encouraging that while investment and hiring intentions have also weakened, they have held up much better.

• Risk of Recession
• The Moody's Economy.com probability of recession rose sharply in August, reflecting the turmoil in global financial markets. In August, the probability of recession jumped to 40%, up from July's 15% and its highest since 2001. The risks to the U.S. economy increased appreciably in August led by tighter credit conditions, rising mortgage delinquencies, turbulence in global financial markets and weakening housing markets.

• Treasury International Capital Flows
• Net long-term TIC flows dropped to $19.2 billion in July, compared to $97.3 billion in June.

• ABC News/Washington Post Consumer Comfort Index
• The ABC News/Washington Post consumer comfort index inched slightly higher to -15 in the week ending September 16. The headline index has only recovered a small portion of its mid-August dive. The details of the latest report were mixed with the economic and personal finances components improving over the week. On the other hand, the buying climate fell four points. While improving, consumer sentiment remains fragile, but today's decision by the Fed to cut interest rates may help over the next few weeks.

• Federal Open Market Committee
• The FOMC lowered the federal funds rate by 50 basis points to 4.75%, and also lowered the discount rate by 50 basis points, to 5.25%. The committee cited tighter credit conditions that are weighing on the housing market and the broad economy. The committee also noted greater uncertainty since their last meeting in early August. The FOMC did say that inflation does remain a concern, however. With today's statement, further rate cuts remain a possibility. The decisions to lower the fed funds and discount rates were unanimous.

• PPI
• Producer prices for finished goods fell by 1.4% in August, due primarily to price declines among finished energy products. Excluding food and energy, core prices for finished goods rose by 0.2%, in line with expectations. Energy prices fell sharply at all levels of processing.

• CPI
• The seasonally adjusted consumer price index fell 0.1% in August, after increasing 0.1% in July and 0.2% in June. A key contributor to this decline in consumer prices was the energy component, which fell 3.2% in August-its third consecutive month of decline. The core index, which excludes food and energy prices, increased by 0.2% in August, after increasing 0.2% in both June and July. Over the past year, core CPI inflation has run at a 2.1% rate, compared to 2.2% in the previous two months. The readings were in line with consensus expectations.

• The Conference Board Leading Indicators
• The Conference Board index of leading indicators fell 0.6% in August, the largest decline since the post- Katrina 0.8% drop-off in September 2005. An upward revision to July, from 0.4% to 0.7%, leaves the leading index little changed over the past two months.

• State Personal Income
• U.S. personal income rose 1.2% in the second quarter of 2007 and 6.4% over the year. First quarter income growth was revised up to 2.5% from the previously-published 2.2%. The first quarter figures reflected bonus payments in the financial services industry, which hit a record last year. All regions of the country saw personal income growth slow over the quarter.

• New Residential Construction (C20)
• Housing starts decreased 2.6% to 1.367 million units in August, slightly above Moody's Economy.com estimates. Housing permits decreased 5.9% during the month. Expect the market to remain soft throughout the year, even with the FOMC lowering the fed funds rate target by 50 basis points.

• MBA Mortgage Applications Survey
• Mortgage demand increased 2.4% in the week ending September 14. Purchase applications increased 0.9% and refinance applications increased 4.6%. The increase in refinance applications is expected with the negative fixed-to-adjustable mortgage rate spread.

• NAHB Housing Market Index
• Homebuilders' view of housing conditions continue to slide, with the NAHB's Housing Market Index declining by two points to 20, the lowest reading since the beginning of 1991. The housing market's correction is nowhere near over.

• Chain Store Sales
• Chain store sales fell 1.1% in the week ending September 15, more than reversing the gains of the previous four weeks. However, year-over-year growth held steady at 2.9% as comparisons eased significantly and the ICSC described the sales performance as mixed.

• Oil and Gas Inventories
• Crude oil inventories fell by an outsized 3.8 million barrels for the week ending September 14, according to the Energy Information Administration, below expectations of a 1.5 million barrel draw. Gasoline inventories rose modestly by 0.4 million barrels, beating expectations. Refinery activity disappointed again, falling from 90.5% to 89.6%, below expectations. Distillate supplies rose by 1.5 million barrels, above expectations. This report is bullish.

• Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report
• Underground storage of natural gas increased by 63 billion cubic feet during the week ending September 20. This figure came in slightly below expectations. Inventories currently stand 8.2% above the five-year average. This report will have a slightly bullish influence on prices.

Source: Economy.com, Financial Times 2007

• Krikorian Premiere Theaters
• Krikorian Premiere Theaters, LLC trades as Krikorian Premiere Theaters.
• The eight-unit chain operates locations throughout CA.
• The movie theaters occupy spaces of 40,000 sq.ft. to 120,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and malls, as well as entertainment, mixed-use and power centers, in addition to urban/downtown areas.
• Plans call for two to three openings nationwide during the coming 18 months.
• Typical leases run 30 years with options.
• A vanilla shell and specific improvements are required.
• Preferred demographics include a population of 100,000 within three miles earning $50,000 as the average household income. Send site submittals to:
  • George Krikorian,
  • Krikorian Premiere Theaters, LLC,
  • 2275 West 190th Street, Suite 201,
  • Torrance, CA 90504;
  • Web site: www.kptmovies.com

• Cinnabon
• The dessert shops occupy spaces of 200 sq.ft. to 600 sq.ft. in malls, entertainment and lifestyle centers.
• Plans call for 75 openings nationwide during the coming 18 months.
• Typical leases run 10 years.
• A vanilla shell and specific improvements are required.
• Preferred cotenants include Dillards and Sears.
• Preferred demographics include a population of 50,000 within three miles earning $60,000 as the average household income.
• For more information, contact
  • Mark Whittle,
  • Focus Brands,
  • 200 Glenridge Point Parkway,
  • Atlanta, GA 30342;
  • Web site: www.focusbrands.com.

• Valvoline Instant Oil Change
• Ashland, Inc. trades as Valvoline Instant Oil Change.
• The 825-unit chain operates locations nationwide.
• The automotive service centers occupy spaces of 1,900 sq.ft. to 2,500 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and mixed-use and power centers.
• Growth opportunities are sought throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months.
• Typical leases run 25 years.
• Preferred cotenants include Kroger and Target. Major competitors include Jiffy Lube.
• A land area of 30,000 sq.ft. is required for freestanding units.
• Send site submittals to:
  • Dennis Hill,
  • Ashland, Inc.,
  • 3499 Blazer Parkway,
  • Lexington, KY 40509.

• Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits
• Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits operates 1,870 locations nationwide and internationally.
• The fast food restaurants occupy spaces of 2,000 sq.ft. to 3,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and inline centers.
• Growth opportunities are sought nationwide during the coming 18 months.
• Send site submittals to:
  • Bill Easterling,
  • Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits,
  • 5555 Glen Ridge
  • Connector Northeast, Suite 300,
  • Atlanta, GA 30342.

• Solstice
• Solstice, a 110-unit chain, operates locations nationwide.
• The stores, offering high-end designers sunglasses, occupy spaces of 800 sq.ft. to 1,200 sq.ft. in malls, lifestyle centers and urban/downtown areas.
• Plans call for 40 openings nationwide during the coming 18 months, with representation by Robert K. Futterman & Associates.
• Send site submittals to:
  • Robert Draizen,
  • c/o Robert K. Futterman & Associates,
  • 521 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor,
  • New York, NY 10175;
  • Web site: www.rkf.com

• Flowerama of America
• Flowerama of America, Inc. trades as Flowerama of America.
• The 100-unit chain operates locations nationwide in 28 states.
• The florist centers, offering fresh flowers, gift items, accessories and houseplants, occupy spaces of 1,200 sq.ft. to 3,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations.
• Plans call for 15 to 20 openings throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months.
• Typical leases run five years with three, five-year options.
  • Chuck Nygren,
  • Flowerama of America, Inc.,
  • 3165 West Airline Highway,
  • Waterloo, IA 50703;
  • Web site: www.flowerama.com

• Johnston & Murphy, Journeys and Journey Kidz
• Genesco, Inc. trades as Johnston & Murphy, Journeys and Journey Kidz. Johnston & Murphy operates 154 locations nationwide.
• The stores, offering upscale men's shoes and accessories, occupy spaces of 1,500 sq.ft. to 2,500 sq.ft. in malls, lifestyle centers, airports and urban/downtown areas.
• Plans call for 18 openings throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months.
• Typical leases run 10 years.
• Preferred cotenants include Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers and Jos. A. Bank. Journeys operates 800 locations nationwide.
• The shoe stores occupy spaces of 1,500 sq.ft. to 3,000 sq.ft. in malls, lifestyle, outlet and value centers.
• Plans call for 75 openings throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months.
• Preferred cotenants include Aeropostale, American Eagle, Pacific Sunwear and Zumiez. Journey Kidz operates 90 locations nationwide.
• The children's shoe stores occupy spaces of 1,200 sq.ft. to 1,600 sq.ft. in malls.
• Plans call for 80 openings throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months.
• Preferred cotenants include Build-A-Bear, Children's Place and Gap Kids. Send site submittals to:
  • David Stuck,
  • Genesco, Inc.,
  • 1415 Murfreesboro Road, Suite 606,
  • Nashville, TN 37217;
  • Web site: www.genesco.com

• Rib Crib BBQ & Grill
• The Rib Crib BBQ, Inc. trades as Rib Crib BBQ & Grill at 43 locations throughout AR, KS, MO, MT, NM, OK and TX.
• The casual BBQ restaurants occupy spaces of 4,000 sq.ft. to 6,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations, endcaps and lifestyle, power and strip centers.
• Plans call for three to five openings throughout the central region during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run 10 years.
• Preferred cotenants include Home Depot, Lowes, Target and Wal*Mart.
• Preferred demographics include a population of 25,000 within three miles.
• A land area of 1.1 acres is required.
• The company prefers to locate in established areas or high-energy new developments.
• Send site submittals to: contact
  • Seth Nimmo,
  • The Rib Crib BBQ, Inc.,
  • 4535 South Harvard Avenue,
  • Tulsa, OK 74135-2905,
  • Web site: www.ribcrib.com.