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...
although declines drop few further gradually higher hints likely maximum output period rate ratio sales weakness
There are a few tentative hints -- higher new orders, a drop in the inventory-to-sales ratio -- that the period of maximum weakness has likely passed. Although further declines in output are anticipated, the rate of decline should gradually diminish.
activity balance continued declines fed further helped high housing labor last likely markets mortgage rates relatively rising robust sustain
With last week's Fed tightening, mortgage rates have continued to rise, so that further declines in housing activity are likely over the balance of the year. Nevertheless, robust labor markets and rising incomes have helped sustain housing at a relatively high level.
declines further months production quick rebound sales unless weakness
Unless there is a quick rebound in sales, this suggests further weakness in production and declines in inventories over the months ahead.
absence activity consumer declines economic energy expect federal further higher housing inflation interest next quarters rates several slow spending welcomed
We still expect economic activity to slow over the next several quarters as consumer spending slows further and housing declines more because of higher interest rates and energy costs. The absence of inflation will be welcomed at the Federal Reserve.
bloated data declines demand economy further indicate output slowing
These data indicate that the manufacturing sectors of the economy are still reeling from slowing demand and bloated inventories. Further declines in output are likely.
across activity both broad business consumer declines industrial reflecting
Industrial activity is contracting across a broad set of industries, reflecting the declines in both consumer and business spending.
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.
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.
above boost current economic estimate growth help overall
This will help boost overall economic growth to above 4 percent; our current (third-quarter) estimate is 4.5.
consumer debt employment gains growth households income judicious remain spending taking
With employment gains non-existent, income growth has slowed. As households also become more judicious in taking on more debt, consumer spending will remain soft.
conflict election equity flows gasoline given interest job rates relative remarkable stability
This relative stability has been remarkable given the ebbs and flows in job creation, the equity markets, the conflict in Iraq, the election campaign, interest rates and gasoline prices.
although both building clear improving inventory likely occurred orders provides recovering recovery related shipments staying support trend
There is a clear improving trend in orders which provides support for the recovering manufacturing sector, ... Although some of the inventory building that occurred was likely Y2K related and will be reversed in the new year, the acceleration of both shipments and backlogs suggests that the manufacturing recovery has substantial staying power.
creation job layoffs
With a longer-term view, layoffs have accelerated, job creation has slowed, and joblessness has increased.
declining gains good input labor occurs rapidly situation
While good gains in productivity are economically favorable, it is not a good situation when this occurs because labor input is declining more rapidly than output.