I don't think that anyone will argue with you that it [the labor market] is not improving. It just isn't moving as fast as people would like it to. |
I don't think the recovery is in danger. But I think what we have here is a situation where the Federal Reserve will probably look at the numbers a lot more closely. If we see another two or three economic statistics that surprise us, yes the Fed can pause and not raise rates in August. |
I don't think this report guarantees a pause, but it doesn't stand in the way of a pause if the Fed feels it's something they should look at. |
I have to come away with the view that the drop in crude prices offered the opportunity for a relief rally, although it didn't offer that much relief. |
I haven't seen increases in the workweek strong enough to augur that all of a sudden employment is going to surge, ... If I had seen that in the past couple of months, I would be more optimistic. |
I haven't seen increases in the workweek strong enough to augur that all of a sudden employment is going to surge. If I had seen that in the past couple of months, I would be more optimistic. |
I hope and pray that consumers will work hard to stay close to the second path, ... because it is the right path to take in order to show our defiance against terrorism. |
I just see it as a speed bump. |
I really don't see a ratcheting up of concerns for the Fed. I still think they are concerned enough that they'll do two more rate hikes, but I didn't see anything in this report that would suggest that they need to do more. |
I remain more confident that the consumer will take great comfort in knowing that our government is truly taking care of business. |
I still believe, and I believe this quite strongly, that the manufacturing sector will, in fact, recover. This is only one month. |
I still don't think they'll lower rates, but this tells me they're prepared to lower them at the first sign of trouble. |
I think [the core rate] will be slower now than six to nine months ago. Business is not passing along all its additional costs. |
I think a 0.2 percent decline in economic growth due Katrina's impact on oil and the regional economy is a realistic assumption, |
I think a seasonal factor is part of the issue here, but you can't discount it all. Look at what is happening with chain store sales. They've been pretty weak. Some of it (weak retail employment) is real. |