Patrick Fearon
Patrick Fearon
consumer sector shows strength
This shows some strength in the consumer sector at the end of the year.
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.
consistent economy employment good growing pace report sector seeing service
The service sector of the economy is still growing at a good pace and that is consistent with what we were seeing in the employment report for November.
below came decent expanding high level sector slightly suggest
The ISM manufacturing index came in at a decent level in January, just slightly below expectations, but still high enough to suggest that the manufacturing sector is expanding at a steady-as-she-goes pace.
continues economy grow large majority sector service shows side
The ISM index shows that the service side of the economy continues to grow well and that's important because that sector makes up the large majority of the economy.
coming consistent decline expected figure housing percent permits sector seems starts thesis weaker
The housing starts figure coming in down 5.6 percent was weaker than expected and seems consistent with our thesis that the housing sector is moderating. The big decline in housing permits reinforces that idea.
continuing energy labor main market people prices reasons roughly starting
With energy prices at least roughly flattening out, and with the labor market continuing to strengthen, those are probably two of the main reasons people are starting to get more optimistic.
certainly claims expect labor low range relatively remain strong though
Even though that was an 11,000 increase, you have to say claims remain relatively low and certainly in the range we would expect in a strong labor market.
annual august brings good inflation moderate news seen september
The good news is that this is much more moderate than we had seen in September and August and it brings the annual inflation rate down to 4.3 percent.
quarters sneeze straight three
We've now had three straight quarters of above-average growth, and that's nothing to sneeze at.
demand existing hard healthy hiring hold onto reports suggesting trying
Firms are trying very hard to hold onto their existing workers. Other reports are suggesting firms are also hiring new workers. All that translates into a healthy demand for labor.
certainly gasoline resulting spike weigh
There is certainly more going on than just hurricanes and a resulting spike in gasoline prices, ... could weigh on people's attitudes.
definitely level looking modest previous remain revision
We did have a modest upward revision in the previous week's claims, but we remain under the psychologically important 400,000 level and that's definitely something that we've been looking for.
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.