Robert Brusca
Robert Brusca
disastrous economist
You don't need an economist to tell you how disastrous they look.
keeps raising
The conundrum is the Fed, and why the it keeps raising rates.
categories eating economy fact food gap growth impact last month product reduced sales stores time together
The fact that food sales outperformed other product categories last month is part of what's going on with the economy and its impact on consumers, ... Also, there was a time when Wal-Mart was eating everyone's lunch. Other stores have been getting their act together and they've reduced the growth gap between them and Wal-Mart.
fed honest president trying
What we see is a Fed president trying to be honest with us.
looking market seeing stock
The stock market is earnings-oriented. But if you're looking at earnings, you're not seeing anything improving.
bonds correct fed market takes
The sell-off in bonds is for real and is the correct reaction. The Fed will need confirmation to act. The bond market won't. It takes no prisoners.
bigger looking soft softer spot
The soft spot is looking to be bigger and softer all the time.
consumer garlic sales shoot stopping stores tale zombie
The tale of the zombie consumer continues, ... There is no stopping him or her: Can't shoot 'em, stab 'em, or keep 'em away from the stores with garlic -- especially with post-season sales in progress.
activity based boost clear data drop fire further growth high housing level low mini prospects quite rates recent remains strong
Housing may get another mini boost from the recent drop in rates. These data do lag a bit. Still, it is clear that, low rates or not, housing is not on fire the way it once was. The level of activity remains quite high for housing. But the prospects for further growth do not look that strong based on momentum.
assessment change economy fed growth job risks turnaround
How could we have such a turnaround in job growth and have the Fed find that it doesn't change its assessment of risks in the economy whatsoever?
challenge few hand inflation issues labor sharp though turned
I don't think inflation is that much of a concern. However, there are still a few short-term issues at hand that could challenge spending, such as the labor market. Though it had improved, it hasn't yet turned a sharp corner.
alter questions raise result
December's result will raise some questions but not enough to alter policy.
december looks november revision weak
December looks weak but the November revision will stave off too much speculation of weakness.
dismiss due extent forgive increase market tobacco willing
A point-three increase is a big increase. ( But ) to the extent the increase was due to tobacco prices, the market may be willing to forgive it, dismiss it, to put it aside.