NRA’s Performance Index Slipped In April

After a strong spike in March, current same-store sales and traffic fell back in April, pulling the overall Restaurant Performance Index from the National Restaurant Association down half a point. The index now stands at 101.3, still well above the tipping point of 100 that signals the difference between market expansion and contraction. All sub-indexes and components work on the same scale. The trend on the two indicators that track current and future capital spending were mixed, but both indicators remain very positive.

The Current Situation Index fell back to 100.5 in the April survey, a 0.9 point decline, as the markers tracking same-store sales and traffic dropped 2.9 and 2.6 points respectively. They now stand at 100.2 and 98.3. The labor component of the CSI rose 0.8 point to 99.9.

The Expectations Index was also off slightly, down 0.1 point to 102.1. The outlooks for same-store sales and business conditions the next six months rose in April. The indicator of expected same-store sales stands at a remarkable 104. The outlook for future staffing levels fell 0.4 point but remains strong at 101.3.

The cap-ex indicators moved in opposite directions. That which tracks capital spending during the past three months rose sharply, 1.1 points to 103.4. The indicator that follows cap-ex purchase intention the next six months fell 0.7 point, but remains very positive at 101.9.

The complete Restaurant Performance Index can be found here.