If you look back at the'70s and'80s, the Fed was perceived to be the man behind the curtains. Today, it's looked at as a more prominent player. I'd say (Greenspan's) better known than members of the Supreme Court, and that wasn't true of his predecessors. |
If you put the two months together it still looks as if retail sales were strong at the beginning of the year -- an average increase of 0.8 percent for each of the two months. |
Inflation is creeping up, but it's not out of hand. I think that's pretty important, ... The bond market may have discounted a worst-case scenario over the last couple of months on inflation, and now maybe traders won't have to worry about the Fed moving too fast. |
Inflation is creeping up, but it's not out of hand. I think that's pretty important. The bond market may have discounted a worst-case scenario over the last couple of months on inflation, and now maybe traders won't have to worry about the Fed moving too fast. |
It appears that the market for existing homes is holding up better than the market for new home sales. We are still concerned about the housing market cooling off. |
It does show consumers are in a buying mood, |
It is encouraging that consumers are taking the negative things that are happening recently. Possibly the employment situation is outweighing other concerns. |
It just looks like manufacturing in the Midwest cooled off a bit in January, but remained healthy. |
It looks like consumers are feeling at least better about the current situation. But I still think there is a lot of uncertainty about the future. The geopolitical news is not very comforting. |
It looks like consumers will be in a more giving mood, I don't think they will spend with abandon. There are still some tight financial problems for many people. We probably will see active shopping for bargains. |
It looks like real spending was quite healthy for the start of the third quarter. |
It looks like the economy is stabilizing after the hurricane-related stresses and we're heading into the holidays with an upturn in confidence that is encouraging and bodes well for the good consumer spending over the next month or so. |
It looks like the economy is still quite healthy and the Fed is probably following the appropriate course. The economy doesn't need low interest rates. |
It looks like these numbers are consistent with a small decline in fourth quarter GDP, |
It looks like these numbers are consistent with a small decline in fourth quarter GDP. |