Given the condition of housing, [Fed policy-makers] will not panic if they see a low GDP growth rate [in the fourth quarter], |
Given the condition of housing, [Fed policy-makers] will not panic if they see a low GDP growth rate [in the fourth quarter]. |
Given the sharp falloff in vehicle sales, the modest decline in overall spending was actually very good news, |
Having more cash in your pocket and spending it are two different issues, and that is the crux of the current problem. We can cut taxes, for households or businesses, but if the willingness to spend is not there, then the cash will just pile up. |
He had the right temperament for the job. |
Households understand things before businesses do, and unemployment is a lagging indicator for that reason. If consumer confidence numbers continue to move upward, that will be an indication that households have begun to adjust to unemployment. |
Housing added solidly to growth last year but don't expect that to be repeated this year. |
Housing is the one key sector that is supposed to be interest-rate sensitive, but at least so far, rates have not risen enough to cause a major retrenchment. |
If people are willing to buy big-ticket items, the message they are sending is that they still have confidence about the future, |
If rates continue to rise -- and that is a realistic prospect if we keep getting good economic news -- the market could come under pressure, |
If spending holds up and job gains continue, even if they are nothing great, rates will likely not be reduced, ... If the labor market turns negative and households put away their wallets, the [Fed] will undoubtedly react. |
If the [Fed] wishes to wait an extra meeting before it raises rates, the inflation data currently give the members free hand to do so. |
If the markets continue to firm in September and confidence does rebound, then we will have dodged the bullet, ... But the failure of confidence to remain at least near July's levels raises some questions as to the true condition of the economy. |
If they cut by 50 basis points, we may also see some movement down in the rest of the yield curve, ... If they cut by 25 basis points, I don't think it shows up in the rest of the curve. |
If this report is supported over the next few months, then a summer increase in the funds rate is very possible. |