[However, economists hope this is only a one-month spike.] Productivity gains are still good and workers are not receiving large pay increases, ... Labor costs are still contained. |
All the components are above the break-even point of 50. There is also relief in the prices paid component from lower energy costs along with easing in delivery time. |
Although the job market is not yet strong enough to put much upward pressure on wages and productivity gains remain strong, the risk of higher inflation is slowly rising. |
Americans are saving very little out of their current income. The primary vehicle that's doing the savings for households is their home. |
Ascertain a trend rather than a reaction ? try not to read too much into economic numbers, |
Businesses are regaining confidence to the point where they are now actively hiring new workers. |
But we do believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. |
Companies are looking to expand profits more now through sales growth than cost cutting. |
Consumers seem to have rebounded from the low point of spirits this year reached right after the hurricanes struck. But they are still somewhat anxious about the energy situation and how that will fare in the coming months. |
Earlier in the summer, the big concern was accounting, but the issue now is whether the economy is going to hold up, |
Even where fourth-quarter earnings were quite good, investors punished stocks with any hint of performance slightly below expectations or suggestion of caution going forward. |
Given what we know today and our outlook over the near term, it seems likely that the Fed will come out of its March meeting with a 4.75 percent fed funds target that will hold through the balance of 2006. |
He is keeping his options open, but he also is suggesting that we may not see a straight-line path for interest rates. I think he is trying to knock down the notion that the Fed could come to a stop and that the story will end there. |
He's arguing that the limit may be starting to be reached as foreign investors avoid an over concentration of their portfolios' in dollars, but that the impact would likely not be traumatic. |
I think that we are very close to seeing the end. |