(The data are) suggesting the decline we've seen in the dollar over the last couple of years is not having an impact. It suggests the dollar may still need to fall to help narrow the trade deficit. But there's a risk to higher inflation if it does. |
[And make no mistake: Energy prices are everything these days. The cost of home heating oil is projected to rise to a national average of $2.47 a gallon this winter, a 28.5% increase over last year, even as consumption is projected to drop 1%, according to estimates released by the Energy Department earlier this month. Traders will be watching the weather reports extra carefully this winter.] The demand for energy has been tempered by high prices, ... but demand could surge again if winter weather turns unusually cold. |
[Still, the decision caught a few economists off guard.] I agree with the Fed's view that the hurricane doesn't pose a persistent threat to the economy, ... But I think that if the Fed had held rates steady, the recovery could've been a little smoother, maybe a little faster. |
Along with the rise in non-fuel import prices, this suggests the weaker dollar is taking competitive pressure off of businesses, giving them the extra pricing power they didn't have a couple of years ago. |
But it looks like Mr. Greenspan is saying the slowdown in the economy will be short-lived and that suggests that the Fed will probably continue to raise rates. |
Claims are still suggesting that the economy started the year with a strong employment situation. |
Clearly today's numbers show that the economy is still healthy and that the Federal Reserve probably will still be concerned about inflation for at least a couple more months. |
Companies may be paying more for raw materials and energy, but that is at least partially being offset by lower unit labor costs. That, I think, is likely to keep inflation contained. |
Confidence is up again -- to the highest level in over two years. Consumers are feeling better not only about current conditions, but also about prospects for the future. |
Energy prices are dropping, and consumer spending is holding up despite rising unemployment . These are encouraging things the market is recognizing. |
Fewer people are worried about jobs right now, more people think that jobs are easy to get, and I think that's supporting confidence despite the high energy prices. |
Generally I think these numbers could reduce some of the concerns about a quick or dramatic change in Fed policy. |
Growth is still at a healthy level. |
Growth is still at a healthy level. There is no major slowdown. |
He's basically expressing the concerns that a central banker normally expresses at this point in the economic cycle, and that is that there are reasons to be cautious, ... Trading Places . |