Brian Bethune
Brian Bethune
combined confidence consumer employment further gains levels overall quarter setting solid stage
Further gains in employment combined with better levels for consumer confidence overall are setting the stage for very solid consumption gains in the first quarter of 2006.
activity gains job normal overall solid start terms
We'll have very solid overall job gains that will punctuate the start of more normal activity in terms of employment,
bonds demand funds insurance pension reports solid underlying
There are reports of solid underlying demand for 30-year bonds from pension funds and insurance companies.
activity early economy forward growth line output overall overseas picked quarter second sector solid strong stronger underlying
Activity in the manufacturing sector picked up early in the second quarter, in line with strong underlying fundamentals in the economy and stronger overseas demand. We can look forward to solid overall output growth in the second quarter of 2006.
asia certainly elizabeth europe fairly improving japan major markets overseas queen slowly solid turning underlying
The major markets overseas - Europe, Japan and Asia - have fairly solid underlying momentum. Japan is certainly improving and Europe is more like the Queen Elizabeth slowly turning around.
continues growth second sector solid stage
The manufacturing sector continues to steam-roll ahead. The stage is set for solid growth in the second quarter.
baked excellent picking quarter sector service
The service sector is picking up some momentum. An excellent quarter is just baked in the cake.
picking sector service
The service sector is picking up some momentum.
crops damage department estimates eventual farms force katrina lessons loses production revised risk state
The risk to crops and farms won't be as significant if it loses force, ... When you look at the lessons from Katrina, the eventual damage to agriculture was less than feared. The department of agriculture actually revised up its estimates of production in the state after Katrina passed.
baked coming early excellent momentum quarter
There's so much momentum coming early into this quarter that an excellent quarter is just baked in the cake.
bump intense pressure prices temporary
Pressure to bump prices up, or levy temporary freight surcharges, will become more intense in September,
ahead continue second spending
Consumption spending will continue to plod ahead in the second quarter.
behaving core energy feed generally inflation lengthy modest persistent pressure price prices producer quite
Core producer price inflation generally has been behaving quite well. We think there's going to be some modest upward pressure as energy prices feed through the system, but it's not going to be a persistent or lengthy problem.
consumers definitely excuse looked needed provided spending strong weather
We're definitely going to see a very strong first quarter. It looked like consumers were hibernating in December, and all they needed was an excuse to go on a spending spree. The weather provided that.