Dana Johnson
Dana Johnson
Dana Johnsonis an American writer and Associate Professor at the University of Southern California. Honors include the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, and being named a nominee for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award. Her writing has appeared in Callaloo, The Iowa Review, and elsewhere...
auto continued detroit economy exposure metro michigan question
There's no question the Michigan economy and Detroit metro economy have been lagging because of continued exposure to the auto sector.
activity auto clear develop economy encouraged energy given healthier june level local looks past prices prospect punishing rebound slow summer
I was really encouraged to see the rebound in activity in June and July. The local economy looks much healthier this summer than it did this past spring. However, a clear up-trend is not yet in place and probably will be slow to develop given the punishing level of energy prices and the prospect of more consolidation in the auto industry.
auto bowl economy effects elevated expected gasoline higher interest local looking lower mild overcome settle struggles super tick weather winter
I expected our index to tick lower in March, as the effects from the Super Bowl and mild winter weather faded. Looking ahead, our index probably will settle into a lower range, as the local economy struggles to overcome restructuring in the auto sector, higher interest rates, and elevated gasoline prices.
asked auto industry painful people reality worth
The reality is that many other people working in the auto industry are going to be asked to make painful adjustments, too, and a lot of people are going to say it's not worth it.
auto becomes deal generating gives gm line matter returning rooting sector shot workers
This deal gives GM a better shot at returning to profitability and generating bonuses for line workers and their salaried workers. What we should all be rooting for, no matter where we work, is that the Michigan-based auto sector becomes more competitive and more profitable.
activity auto bowl centered doubt early economy effects encouraged expect fall helped income job losses mild next regional several super support weather weathered winter
So far, I am encouraged to see how well the regional economy has weathered the job and income losses centered in the auto manufacturing sector. Mild winter weather and the Super Bowl no doubt helped to support the economy early in 2006. As those effects fade, I would expect to see some fall off in activity over the next several months.
emerge gm michigan profitable
I think Michigan would like nothing more than to see GM emerge as a leaner and more profitable company,
exciting medal olympic saw touch
It is exciting just to be able to say you actually saw an Olympic medal up close, even touch it.
cost family faster financing higher increased interest light past quite rates rising stable ten vehicle vehicles
The affordability of light vehicles has been quite stable over the past ten quarters. Family incomes have been rising faster than vehicle prices, but higher interest rates have increased the cost of financing a new car.
action clear close drifting early erratic fixed holiday income investors markets potential price thanksgiving
With many investors drifting away early for the Thanksgiving holiday and with the fixed income markets scheduled to close early on Wednesday, the clear potential is for some erratic price action in illiquid markets,
clear cyclical pattern prepared worry
From a cyclical perspective, I'm not prepared to worry about inflation. There's no clear pattern of acceleration.
basis hard higher interest likely margins market move offset point profit stock
I don't think one 50 basis point move (by the Fed) is likely to be enough. It's going to be very hard for the stock market to move ahead. Profit margins are not going to be expanding. There's going to be nothing to offset the higher interest rates.
guess
I wouldn't guess it will look real great.
asked guess surprised together unhappy unions
I guess I'm not surprised the unions are unhappy with the adjustments they are being asked to make, and I am not surprised they banded together to try to get a better deal,