After all the negative news about our trade position, our fiscal problems, our currency, our inflation rate and the Fed's credit-tightening program, long-term rates remain very, very low, |
After all the negative news about our trade position, our fiscal problems, our currency, our inflation rate and the Fed's credit-tightening program, long-term rates remain very, very low. |
All three of the Big Three automakers have been increasing the amount of their production planning, ... We're also seeing a little kick-up in overtime hours. Even if demand tapers off, they'll need to get production going to get inventories to more normal levels. |
All three of the Big Three automakers have been increasing the amount of their production planning. We're also seeing a little kick-up in overtime hours. Even if demand tapers off, they'll need to get production going to get inventories to more normal levels. |
Eighteen years of excellence has earned Greenspan the benefit of the doubt when blame is being allocated. |
Energy costs, which act as a tax on consumer budgets, are taking a smaller bite out of consumer pocketbooks. There is, therefore, more money available to spend on other (non-energy) things. |
Even with zero-percent financing, monthly payments for SUVs are still high, ... Consumers being willing to pay that much makes a positive statement about their sense of financial well-being. |
Foreclosure depresses an area in a variety of ways. |
Frankly, I think that's healthy. Property has gotten so expensive, maybe people are getting a little bit of sticker shock. |
Hiring was cautious in October. Aside from companies not being able to operate because of the hurricanes, many businesses might have been in a state of suspense as they assessed damage to their operations and to the economy that might have resulted from these storms. |
Home prices have gotten a little frothy, as [former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan] Greenspan said. |
Households and corporations are still very active and are creating economic momentum, which is tremendously encouraging news for the economy. The only dark cloud comes from the news on prices, which are going up. |
If anything, we may be at risk for underestimating how well the economy will do this year. |
If they have to ring some inflation out of the system, the initial list of victims has to include housing markets. You have a risky period for consumers for the next six to eight months. |
In the thinking of most analysts, based on the fundamentals, there certainly is enough out there that the Fed should keep going, at least at this meeting. |