Patrick Fearon
Patrick Fearon
conclude consumer eventually factor federal fourth growth help housing monetary rate reserve sector slow spending tend
We still think that the growth rate will slow substantially in the fourth quarter, in part because the housing sector is softening which will tend to soften consumer spending as well. That is one factor that will probably help the Federal Reserve eventually conclude its monetary tightening cycle.
consumer easily fact final higher number shows
The fact that the final number is higher than the preliminary number shows that the American consumer is not going to be easily intimidated.
downward evidence fact fed interest might months raising rates rather sooner stop trend
The fact that (core inflation) has been on a downward trend for two months is more evidence that Fed policy-makers might stop raising interest rates sooner rather than later.
affect fourth
There was some slacking off in the fourth quarter, but I didn't think it would affect the whole country.
across allow consistent continue decent economy fed growing interest measured numbers pace raise rates retail strength
There was decent strength across the retail sector. These numbers are consistent with an economy growing at a comfortable rate, a pace that would allow the Fed to continue to raise interest rates in a measured fashion.
companies current force happy keeping level looks lose relatively seem stingy work workers
This level still looks like companies are happy with their current work force, and they are being relatively stingy about keeping their workers -- they don't seem to want to lose too many.
benefit bit companies competition economy helped increase level quite reaping stronger technology
Companies are reaping the benefit of enhancements in technology discovery, which has helped them increase their productivity. At the same time, there is a level of competition in the economy that is quite a bit stronger than it has been in the past.
again chance deficit energy good news next piece positive prices remember trade
The narrower trade deficit is a positive piece of news for February. However, with energy prices going up recently, you have to remember that there's a good chance that the trade deficit will widen again over the next (few) months.
activity designed expanding factory midwest point readings
This index is designed so that readings over 50 point to expanding activity in the Midwest factory sector.
evolving impact labor mean numbers people relatively situations terms understanding until
It could mean that those people don't show up in the jobless numbers until relatively late, so it's an evolving situations in terms of understanding the impact on the labor market.
cautious energy people possibly prices rebound recent reflects
It could be this reflects the recent rebound in energy prices that possibly made people a little more cautious again.
core decide fairly fed growth hand point raising rate soon stop
If the core rate doesn't get out of hand and growth comes in moderate, at some point fairly soon the Fed could decide ... to stop raising rates.
close investment point wage
We're probably close to the point where there will be a take-off in investment and wage growth.
ballgame consumer economic looks spending supporting terms trend weaker
Spending was up, a little weaker than expected... Nevertheless, the trend has been upward and it looks like the consumer is still in the ballgame in terms of supporting economic growth.