The consumer is doing quite well. The job market is doing quite well. |
The consumer never really missed a beat, and now attitudes are beginning to catch up to reality. Once again, watch what they do, not what they say. |
The crux of the statement was unchanged (from the last meeting), ... They said that policy remains accommodative, but that the central bank will respond to changes as needed. That's been the mantra since the tightening period began last June. |
The crux of the statement was unchanged (from the last meeting). They said that policy remains accommodative, but that the central bank will respond to changes as needed. That's been the mantra since the tightening period began last June. |
The durable goods report for December was extremely strong. The headline rise of 1.3 percent was decent, but some of the underlying statistics were even more impressive. |
The economy has a lot of momentum. The consumer continues to do well because of the improving labor market, and businesses have a lot of cash and are getting more confident about deploying it. |
The economy is clearly advancing nicely right now and it will in our view take more than a 5% funds rate to slow it down. |
The economy is clearly strong right now, and that's what these numbers reflect. In the short term, there's a risk people will pull back on spending, but that depends on how long gas prices stay high, and so far there's not much evidence the consumer is slowing down. |
The economy is still growing at an above trend pace and with slack in labor and product markets all but fully absorbed, inflation pressures will begin to gradually build this year. |
The economy retains ample momentum early in 2006. |
The employment number will be the key for the stock market next week. |
The factory sector appears to have begun the year on a solid note, no doubt bolstered by the surge in new orders seen at the end of last year. |
The Fed can not be comfortable with the pace at which the labor market is moving to/through full employment. Let the wage acceleration begin! |
The Fed is, if anything, more concerned about inflation than they are about a growth slowdown, |
The Fed is, if anything, more concerned about inflation than they are about a growth slowdown. |