The tone of the statement, which I read as being surprisingly upbeat, considering everything we've heard, seemed to indicate that the whole idea that they might buy [longer-term bonds] is off the table, ... Unless we have real signs the economy is faltering, we may have already seen the bottom in mid-to-long-term rates. |
The trade deficit may have narrowed in February but it is hardly clear that this is the start of a long downward trend. |
The trade deficit, if you can still use the term deficit to describe the GDP of a small country, just keeps getting wider. This is the Energizer bunny on steroids as it keeps growing and growing and growing. |
The U.S. economy is bumping up against capacity constraints in many sectors, and businesses, particularly non-manufacturing businesses, are stepping up investment spending. Durable goods will continue to lead the manufacturing expansion in 2006. |
The underlying trend looks to still be in the 200,000 (jobs per month) range, ... And if that is correct, conditions are okay, really. |
The weather in January was as good as it gets, yet demand fell. |
The worries created by the high energy costs are affecting not only pricing decisions but hiring as well. If there is uncertainty about consumer spending, then it has to translate into a slowing in hiring. |
There are plenty of bubbles around the country that are losing air rapidly and more are likely to follow. But so far there is no generalized collapse in the market. |
There are seminal points in economies, and they're reached rarely, ... We reached one in the 1990s, and we will not go back to an economy that bears any resemblance to the one before. |
There has to be some worry on the part of retailers. They may be required to cut prices sooner and steeper than normal. |
There is always concern (among some U.S. citizens) of foreigners owning things. The downside is that they take profits out of the business. It goes overseas. That's their right as owners of the business. But we own an awful lot of businesses around the world as well. We've got to recognize that fact. |
There is an ever-growing number of homes on the market, and while the overhang is not great at the current selling pace, it could become a problem if we trend back toward more sustainable levels, |
There is no inflation, as long as you are buying computers and motor vehicles, but for everyone else, the situation is not that pleasant, |
There is no inflation, unless you drive a vehicle, heat your home, use medical services, have a child in college, use cable, insure anything or smoke. |
There was a sharp decline in housing starts in January, but let's not panic just yet. Cold and snowy weather can take its toll on construction, and that may have been the case in January. |