The cost pressures on businesses slowed in February, which is a good thing, given that the ability to pass the higher expenses through to consumers remains limited. But a careful reading of the details paints a troublesome picture. |
The data for the second quarter seem to point to a solid rebound in growth, ... That should generate improvement in profits, and hopefully the available funds will be spent on investment. |
The decline in new home sales in January makes it clear that there is some real softening in the housing market. |
The economic fundamentals seem to be lining up quite nicely, and they are all pointing to continued strong growth through the summer, |
The economy bulled its way forward during the summer and not even the destruction of a major city and other Gulf Coast communities could slow it down, |
The economy bulled its way forward during the summer and not even the destruction of a major city and other Gulf Coast communities could slow it down. |
The economy is becoming a well oiled machine. |
The economy truly does look to be on the mend, ... While the 2.4 percent rise in GDP during the second quarter wasn't spectacular, the details were heartening. |
The euphoria over the third quarter will probably be replaced by concern over the fourth quarter. We've begun to transition to more moderate growth, and that's what we'll see the first half of this year. It will be a stepped-down pace, not a collapse. |
The ex-vehicles number may have disappointed some, but given how strong the gain was in January, investors should not be disappointed. Consumers are still consuming. |
The extent of the drop seems overdone, ... I would not be surprised if home sales rebound, though the days of record sales levels may be behind us. |
The Fed has indicated it wants to start out slow, and it probably will. But these pressures, as they build, will force the Fed to do at least one [half-percentage-point] move by the end of the year. |
The Fed should see that the strength of the economy, housing, remains such, and with unemployment claims continuing to shrink, there is less and less need for another rate cut. |
The Fed wants everyone to know that rates are going nowhere and will not let facts get in the way, |
The Fed wants to see results, and this report didn't give it to them, ... It looks right now as if the Fed will take out some extra insurance on June 25. |