Mark Vitner
Mark Vitner
cause doubt fed next point quarter raise rates report strong three
I don't think there's much doubt the Fed will raise rates by a quarter point each of the next three meetings. Even a really strong report probably won't cause them to raise rates by a half-point.
attack cause clouds economic economy land mines next potential problem recession scale storm
I don't see any storm clouds on the economic horizon. We don't see any potential land mines or problem areas. Even an attack on the scale of 9/11 would not cause the economy to go into recession in the next two years.
disturb hear interest rates sure
I'm not too sure we're going to hear that much that will disturb markets, but I'm sure he'll say at least something hinting that long-term interest rates are too low,
biggest businesses caution cautious economy employment excessive growth irrational lack reason strong
In the '90s we had irrational exuberance. Now we have excessive caution. And that's the biggest headwind this economy is facing, ... The lack of strong employment growth is one more reason for businesses to be cautious and can be a self-fulfilling prophesy.
economy economy-and-economics florida history recall strong time
I really can't recall a time in history when the Florida economy was as strong as it is today.
behind increases wage wait
If you wait for the wage increases to show up in the report, they're behind the curve.
few jobs qualify soft
I think 78,000 is too few jobs to qualify as a soft landing.
afford billion economy-and-economics finance matter spending trillion whether work
In the end, we can work this out. It is $200 billion in spending for a $12 trillion economy, ... It's just a matter of how we finance it, not whether or not we can afford to do it.
coming confidence consumer gas hold interest knock likely prices rates
I don't know if the gas prices and interest rates will knock consumer confidence down in coming months, ... I think they're more likely to hold it where it is now, which is good, but not great.
certainly five number prevents raise stop
Certainly they would like to stop at five (percent), and I don't think this number prevents them from doing that, but it is something that should raise some doubts.
behavior change changes consumers eat effect felt further gasoline gradually high months prices recent seen stay
High gasoline prices gradually eat away at income. The effect isn't felt all at once. We have seen consumers change their behavior in recent months and there should be further changes if prices stay at these levels.
again business hiring lead services
Hiring in business and professional services will once again lead the way.
bounce economy economy-and-economics
The economy should bounce back solidly in the first quarter.
appears bursting economy economy-and-economics finally firing seems tech triangle
The economy seems to be getting over the bursting of the tech bubble. It finally appears that the Triangle is firing on all cylinders.