Mark Vitner
Mark Vitner
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.
booming correctly economy fix folks maybe roof state stick sunshine
If folks correctly see the economy is booming in Florida, they'll make their way down to the Sunshine State and take a job. Maybe they'll stick around a while and fix a roof while they're here.
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.
cost drive economy employment federal full government next progress spend visible whatever
The federal government is going to spend whatever they need to, to make some visible progress before next year's mid-term elections, ... And what that's going to do to an economy that's already at full employment is drive up the cost of cement, drive up the cost of steel, drive up the cost of labor.
core fed inflation pick wait
The Fed can't wait for core inflation to pick up before they act,
fact few growth job next pointed strong work
In the past, that (increase in work week) has pointed to fact we'll see strong job growth in next few months.
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.
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The economy should bounce back solidly in the first quarter.
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The economy seems to be getting over the bursting of the tech bubble. It finally appears that the Triangle is firing on all cylinders.
core economy inflation peaked rate
The economy may stagnate but it's not going to inflate. The core rate of inflation probably peaked in March.