[Greenspan] seems to be a little more sanguine about inflation today than he was on Tuesday. Since there is no red flag of an early tightening by the Fed, it's almost a relief trade. |
[In] the past year, the number of people receiving state benefits has increased by more than a million, ... Although the pace of layoffs has eased, job creation remains nonexistent. |
[In] the past year, the number of people receiving state benefits has increased by more than a million. Although the pace of layoffs has eased, job creation remains nonexistent. |
[Nonetheless, while there still is forward momentum in manufacturing,] it appears to be less robust than earlier in the year, ... These data add to the mosaic showing a still-strong but more slowly expanding factory sector: good news for the Federal Reserve. |
[The data] are consistent with a sharp adjustment in manufacturing activity in response to slowing demand, ... With inventories relatively high and new orders weak, factory activity is likely to remain weak. |
[The numbers] are clearly good news for the Fed, ... Strong productivity numbers raise the economy's speed limit and dampen inflationary pressures, lessening the magnitude of the rate increases that the Fed would have to implement. The key question, however, is: what level of productivity growth is reasonable to assume for the future? |
[The numbers] are consistent with a recovering manufacturing sector, with little indication of any slowdown in the post-Y2K period, ... For the FOMC, with few signs of slowing economic activity outside of housing, a rebounding manufacturing sector will keep the pressure on for higher rates. |
After adjusting for the storm effects, both initial and continuing claims appear to be near their pre-hurricane levels, indicating that labor markets remain strong despite the weak October payroll employment report. |
Although higher interest rates appear to have begun to have a negative impact on housing activity and consumer spending, sturdy domestic demand and improving international economies have generated an acceleration in manufacturing activity. |
Although home buying remains at relatively high levels, although no longer robust, refinancing activity has slumped. Less refinancing activity should dampen consumer spending. |
Although home buying remains at relatively high levels, and though no longer robust, refinancing activity has slumped. Less refinancing activity should dampen consumer spending. |
Although housing should slow modestly over the balance of the year, it is unlikely to generate the major weakness typically associated with housing during an economic downturn. |
Although inventory rebalancing is well underway, weak sales and elevated inventory-to-sales ratios will keep downward pressure on industrial production and manufacturing employment, ... This situation is unlikely to improve until spending accelerates. |
Although inventory rebalancing is well underway, weak sales and elevated inventory-to-sales ratios will keep downward pressure on industrial production and manufacturing employment. This situation is unlikely to improve until spending accelerates. |
Although manufacturing activity is still expanding, momentum in the manufacturing sector has clearly faded, ... This report confirms that the FOMC was correct in pausing their tightening cycle at last week's meeting. |