Gary Thayer
Gary Thayer
consumers energy holiday looks numbers optimistic reduced relief spending until weak
Today's numbers show that consumers are not very optimistic about the economy. As a result, we will see consumer spending reduced until we see some relief on energy prices. If we don't get some relief, it looks like it will be a very weak holiday season.
companies costs employment energy higher including keeping lead looks prices rising wages worried
Policy-makers have been worried that rising energy costs could lead to higher prices for other things including higher wages and compensation, but it looks like companies are keeping their employment costs in check.
consumer good items looks lower news prices reading seeing seen unchanged
The good news is that what we've seen is an unchanged reading for the nonpetroleum items and it looks like what we're still seeing is lower prices for many consumer items.
bit looks midwest remained
It just looks like manufacturing in the Midwest cooled off a bit in January, but remained healthy.
consistent decline fourth looks numbers quarter small
It looks like these numbers are consistent with a small decline in fourth quarter GDP,
economy fed following healthy interest looks quite
It looks like the economy is still quite healthy and the Fed is probably following the appropriate course. The economy doesn't need low interest rates.
confidence consumer economy good heading holidays looks month next spending
It looks like the economy is stabilizing after the hurricane-related stresses and we're heading into the holidays with an upturn in confidence that is encouraging and bodes well for the good consumer spending over the next month or so.
healthy looks quite spending start third
It looks like real spending was quite healthy for the start of the third quarter.
jobs looks lost seen share
It looks like we will have about a half-million lost jobs from the hurricanes and we have now seen the lion's share of that.
active consumers financial giving looks problems shopping spend tight
It looks like consumers will be in a more giving mood, I don't think they will spend with abandon. There are still some tight financial problems for many people. We probably will see active shopping for bargains.
consumers current feeling looks news
It looks like consumers are feeling at least better about the current situation. But I still think there is a lot of uncertainty about the future. The geopolitical news is not very comforting.
component decline good looks moderation paid prices pricing seeing
The decline in the prices paid component is good news. It looks as if we're seeing some moderation in pricing pressures, but not a significant drop.
clearly economy february good government looks march sector strong telling
They're very good numbers. It's telling us the manufacturing sector of the economy is clearly in recovery. It looks like we had not only a strong March but an even better February than the government previously estimated.
continue economy economy-and-economics fed greenspan looks raise saying
But it looks like Mr. Greenspan is saying the slowdown in the economy will be short-lived and that suggests that the Fed will probably continue to raise rates.