More people could die in the aftermath from lack of shelter and food than in the earthquake itself. |
My belief all along is the unemployment rate is the key to consumer behavior, ... A 4.5 percent unemployment rate would be more than a half a percentage point above the low of 3.9 percent. If unemployment goes up a half percentage point from its trough, you almost always get a recession subsequently in the next 12 months. There is a snowballing effect that begins to happen once you get too much past that size increase. While it might take a nice round 5.0 percent rate before people get panicked, the snow may already be rolling over them by then. |
Not bad, but less than the 18 percent (annual rate of growth) in the second quarter and 26 percent (rate) in the first quarter. |
On the whole, there are not many people [at Hopkins] who are politically active. |
People have been saying shelter, shelter, shelter but there is no point having a tent if you are cold and hungry inside. |
Several forecasters have recently indicated they believe the U.S. economy is already in recession, |
The data is squarely at odds with the anecdotal evidence one gets from those in the industry, |
The data is squarely at odds with the anecdotal evidence one gets from those in the industry. |
The data reflect that main concern that Mr. Greenspan has voiced in his recent comments, i.e., that with labor markets this tight, there is a real risk that compensation costs will accelerate faster than the ability of productivity gains to offset those costs, thus boosting unit labor costs and thereby generating price increases, |
The fact that the boom is ending should not be interpreted as indicating any serious trouble for builders or realtors -- unless, of course, some overextended on debt in expectations that sales would continue to accelerate, ... Prior to the recent explosion in sales, a level of 700,000 had been considered very strong. The current trend should be viewed as a return to normalcy rather than as the beginning of a housing recession. |
The fact that the boom is ending should not be interpreted as indicating any serious trouble for builders or realtors -- unless, of course, some overextended on debt in expectations that sales would continue to accelerate. Prior to the recent explosion in sales, a level of 700,000 had been considered very strong. The current trend should be viewed as a return to normalcy rather than as the beginning of a housing recession. |
The fear is that landslides will further hamper our operations, |
The fear is that landslides will further hamper our operations. |
The Fed did not lower the fed funds rate, but their statement indicates a 180 degree about-face in terms of their view of the risks facing the economy, ... It looks to me they're ready to do what they have to do when they have to do it. They just aren't exactly sure when they have to do it. |
The Fed views potential inflation as last year's problem. This year, they will be focused on promoting a rebound in growth. |