The new home market looks like it is starting to stagger. Bubbles do burst, they really do. |
The numbers we're getting all indicate that the economy has maintained a large amount of momentum and that's obviously a concern to the Fed and will likely force their hand. |
The overhang is becoming a real threat. |
The pull back in housing remains orderly, at least in the existing market. But the red flags are up. Inventories continue to rise and that is a warning that prices cuts could be coming, and soon. |
The pullback in the housing market is continuing at an orderly pace. |
The rate increases will start off slowly, but if inflation keeps accelerating, all bets are off afterward. |
The report simply does not point to any immediate sharp rise in inflation. That has to make the Fed members feel good, though I doubt they will get wild and crazy and actually start considering stopping their rate hike program. |
The report was surprisingly weak and highlights the reality that, until forced to do so by ever-increasing demand, firms will not commit to new workers, |
The reports of all those firms raising prices appears to be greatly exaggerated. |
The rising mortgage rates have pushed us to a new record home-sales level, but once the fence sitters are all down, things could change, |
The sharp rise in input costs can only further pressure earnings in those sectors where there is limited pricing power, which is still most of the economy. |
The sharp rise in wages is a two-sided sword. |
The sharp rise in wages is a two-sided sword. On the one hand, workers' income is finally starting to increase, and that bodes well for spending. On the other hand, labor costs are on the rise and that implies potentially higher inflation. |
The stunning drop in import and export prices in October is the clearest indication that economies around the world, not just in the United States, were hit hard by the Sept. 11 tragedy. |
The sudden stoppage in U.S. activity hurt oil demand, and we have seen petroleum prices plummet as a consequence, ... But as the U.S. economy slowed, so have other economies, and export prices tanked as well. |