Steven Wood
Steven Wood
Steven Woodwas an Australian sprint canoeist and marathon canoeist who competed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Competing in two Summer Olympics, he won a bronze medal in the K-4 1000 m event at Barcelona in 1992...
accelerate buying demand housing likely mortgage motivated potential rates rising
The demand for new housing surged, likely because rising mortgage rates motivated some potential homebuyers to accelerate their buying decisions.
difficult easy
It's really easy to get into a new house; it's really difficult to go back to an apartment.
add concerns declines evidence forecast general growth related slower unclear whether
It's unclear whether the declines are related to year-end concerns or to a more general softening in manufacturing activity, but they do add evidence to the (Fed's) forecast for slower growth going forward.
data despite economy federal inflation labor low market open provide relief robust tight
Despite a robust economy and tight labor markets, inflation is still low and steady. These data provide some relief for the Federal Open Market Committee.
gain gentle katrina meltdown modest rebound sharp slowing soon trend
This month's modest gain indicates that the sharp rebound from the post-Hurricane Katrina meltdown has been completed. The gentle slowing trend that had been in place for much of 2005 may have been halted, but it is too soon to tell with any confidence.
activity bleak oasis otherwise region unlikely
It is unlikely that the region is really an oasis of activity in an otherwise bleak manufacturing landscape.
breaks higher straw toward
It's another straw on the camel's back toward higher rates, ... but it isn't the straw that breaks the camel's back.
aftermath associated climbed consumer december declines energy followed higher huge katrina optimism rita soaring
Consumer optimism climbed higher in December after soaring in November. This followed huge back-to-back declines in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the associated surge in energy prices.
although creation data job
Although these data were better than expected, job creation is still weak.
although declined economic efforts further growth helping last level mortgage pace past rates relatively sales six slow solid three weakness
Although the level of sales is still relatively high, the solid growth of the past three years has been arrested, helping the Fed's efforts to slow the pace of economic growth. However, mortgage rates have declined over the last six weeks, so further substantial weakness may not be forthcoming.
although builders continue current home housing maintained near sales
Although the fundamentals have deteriorated builders have been cautious, so there is no imbalance of unsold new homes. Therefore, as long as new home sales are maintained near current levels, housing construction can also continue near these levels.
although cyclical decline expansion growth past phenomenon pleased rather retreat sharp view
Although the (Fed) will not be pleased with the sharp decline in productivity growth over the past year, they will view it as a cyclical phenomenon rather than a retreat from the productivity-led expansion of the past 5 years.
accelerate although consumer creation finished job order quarters recent spending strength strong sustain
Although real consumer spending was strong it has slowed for two consecutive quarters and finished Q1 with very little momentum. In order to sustain recent strength in real consumer spending, job creation will need to accelerate further.
above although average last likely pace percent return settle
Although productivity is not likely to return to the supercharged pace of last year, it is likely to settle in comfortably above the 1.5 percent average pace during the 20 years before 1995.