Firms plan to expand operations to accommodate sustained demand; investment and employment intentions up

Many firms expect stable sales growth or a return to a more sustainable pace, particularly in goods sector

Indicators of capacity pressures and labor shortages picked up, "Reflecting strong demand and tightening labor markets"

Q4 business outlook survey finds expectations for sales activity remain positive but point to some moderation ahead

Apart from higher prime rates, credit conditions largely unchanged

Inflation expectations are modest, unchanged from third quarter

Rising labor costs, often related to upcoming increases in minimum wage as well as non-labor input costs, to put upward pressure on output prices