Hans Olsen
Hans Olsen
benefit bring buying companies confidence consumer help high industrial levels likely remains remarkable start stocks
It's remarkable that consumer confidence remains so high and it may help bring to stocks some buying momentum. Companies in the industrial and consumer sectors are the most likely to benefit from high confidence levels at the start of 2006.
background beginning consumer happen housing interest rates rising seeing spending surprise
That shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone, because all the background was in place for that to happen what with rising interest rates and consumer spending where it's at, ... We may be seeing the beginning of a real slowdown in the housing market. That's a big concern.
consumer elements good interest matter pressure reality sentiment spending
In reality, it won't matter as much because other elements like spending and consumer sentiment look good and that will keep the upward pressure on interest rates.
clearly consumer cost drop fill hard market optimistic responding terribly
The market is clearly responding to the drop in consumer confidence. It's hard to be terribly optimistic when it cost you $60 to fill up the car.
drive earnings next several weeks
What's going to drive things over the next several weeks is how third-quarter earnings come out,
finally monkey
We finally got that monkey off our back.
companies deal period positive quiet reported tough
Most companies have already reported their earnings, and I think we're getting to a quiet period where it can be tough to keep anything positive going. There's still a lot out there to deal with.
difficult positive prices stock
It doesn't set a real positive stage. It makes it difficult for stock prices to go anywhere.
inflation leads push supplies
It all leads to the idea that inflation isn't so bad. That supplies some push for the market.
defensive fairly good types
Those are kind of defensive stocks, with fairly inelastic demand. In good times and bad, you're going to use those types of products.
absence bad deal good news noise treated
Right now, it's like an absence of bad news is being treated as good news. I see it as just a lot of noise right now. There's still a lot out there to deal with.
absence bad good news treated
Right now, it's like an absence of bad news is being treated as good news.
beginning costs high hold oil operating prices sustained throughout wider year
My sense is that the high oil prices we've sustained throughout this year are beginning to take hold in the operating costs of a wider swath of US companies.
exceeded excel improve knew point rate schedule true
To say that we knew she was going to improve and excel at the rate that she is, that would not be a true statement. She has exceeded the schedule that I thought. She is probably already at the point where I thought she would be in two years.