This could be a temporary blip. |
This index is designed so that readings over 50 point to expanding activity in the Midwest factory sector. |
This is consistent with our view that the housing market is likely to continue to moderate in the coming months. But ... home sales are historically pretty strong. |
This level still looks like companies are happy with their current work force, and they are being relatively stingy about keeping their workers -- they don't seem to want to lose too many. |
This shows some strength in the consumer sector at the end of the year. |
We did have a modest upward revision in the previous week's claims, but we remain under the psychologically important 400,000 level and that's definitely something that we've been looking for. |
We still think that the growth rate will slow substantially in the fourth quarter, in part because the housing sector is softening which will tend to soften consumer spending as well. That is one factor that will probably help the Federal Reserve eventually conclude its monetary tightening cycle. |
We're getting close to the weekly level of new claims that was typical of the months leading up to the late-summer hurricanes and the spike in energy prices. |
We're probably close to the point where there will be a take-off in investment and wage growth. |
We've now had three straight quarters of above-average growth, and that's nothing to sneeze at. |
Whether you look at the core personal consumption expenditure index on a monthly basis or a year over year basis, the inflation trend is basically 'steady Eddie. |
With energy prices at least roughly flattening out, and with the labor market continuing to strengthen, those are probably two of the main reasons people are starting to get more optimistic. |