-RET SALES STRENGTHENED IN APRIL;LIKELY GAINS SMALL
-FUEL COST HITS DEMAND FOR SUVS, TRUCKS, LUX. CARS
-INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY CONT TO WEAKEN;ORDERS,OUTPUT DOWN
-TIGHT LABOR MARKETS EASED 'IN ALMOST ALL DISTRICTS'
-CREDIT STANDARDS TIGHTER; MORTGAGE REFINANCINGS UP
-HOME SALES, STARTS STEADY OR PICKING UP MOST DISTS
-MOST DISTRICTS RETAIL INVENTORIES'AT DESIRED LEVELS'
-EXCESS MFG INVENTORIES STARTING TO FALL SOME PLACES
-NOTED MFG LABOR MKT TIGHTNESS EASING AS WELL
-SEEING SOME MANUFACTURING IMPROVEMENT IN NY
-'PRONOUNCED'HIGH-TECH SLOWDOWN;IMPROVEMENT SOME AREAS
-FIRMS PASSING ON HIGH ENERGY COSTS IN SOME REGIONS
-'THE ENERGY SECTOR CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN'
-WINTER WHEAT IN 'GOOD CONDITION',SOME SPRING DELAYS