
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 29, 1993                   TAG: 9305290100
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROANOKE VALLEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

"I hate to use the word nondescript," said John C. Parrott II, but that is the story of May for the index of regional stocks.

The 20 regional companies that make up the index collectively gained 1.2 percent last month over April. Parrott tracks their performance for Wheat First Securities in Roanoke.

The index, based on 100 points set by stock values in September 1983, rose from 206.8 points in April to 209.4.

May wouldn't have performed that well except for the month-end recovery of bank stocks after a sharp drop earlier in May. Even so, most local banks, like those nationwide, ended up the same as in April or just a little lower.

The largest gain was 3 points by Bell Atlantic. Home Shopping Network had the biggest percentage jump. Shares of General Electric, ITT, Roanoke Electric Steel and USAir all rose slightly.

Parrott said May was "pretty much of a flat, do-nothing month" for regional issues.

by CNB