Stuart Hoffman
Stuart Hoffman
account active average consistent decline home housing january last months people starts three
If you take into account the revisions, the average for the last three months are still very strong. It's consistent with the housing starts number. People are still active in home buying. This decline in January is probably a month dip. It's a head-fake.
bonds coming profit stocks
Stocks and bonds rallied at first, but now have hemmed down. Stocks are coming off a superb day yesterday, so that may be a little profit taking.
clear growth job last months picture quite slow slower somewhat three weaker
It's clear that job growth in the last three months has been as slow as it has been in quite a while. It is a picture of a somewhat slower or weaker job market.
against ballgame bottom greenspan inflation line nearly
The bottom line is that Greenspan is in no way signaling that the Fed's tightening ballgame against inflation is nearly over.
bottom building conclude continued easy fed line pressure solid
The bottom line is it is a very solid report, but with continued inflationary pressure building up, it will make it easy for the Fed to conclude (Tuesday's meeting) with a quarter-point increase,
absence broad economy good inflation lower noticeable problem report steady
It was a good report right through. As you look through the report there is a noticeable absence of inflation on a broad basis. The numbers, if anything, are steady to lower on inflation and show that it just isn't at all a problem for the economy or the Fed.
building markets
There will be some uncertainty in the markets building up at the end of the year. There will be some jitters.
below economy fed federal funds likes number raise rate recognize report target weak
This is a very weak number and well below what everyone expected. It's not the kind of report the Fed likes to see, but I think they'll recognize that the economy is already rebounding and raise the federal funds target rate to 4.5 percent.
consumer good positive sector sign signal threaten
It's not a good sign when delinquencies rise, There are enough other positive things in the consumer sector to say this is not a signal for some significant retrenchment ... that could threaten the economy.
alive good job market news shows
It's a very good report. That's good news post-hurricanes. It shows us the job market is alive and well.
activity appears cool general moved output parts relatively report solid stronger summer unlike utility
The report is stronger than appears on the surface. Unlike other parts of the economy, manufacturing activity moved up, so I would say in general this is a pretty solid report. Utility output was down probably because of the relatively cool summer we had.
keeping wages
People's wages are going up, but they are not keeping up with inflation.
bit comfort core drew people
People drew some comfort in the smaller-than-expected core index, but I think the core is a bit deceptive.
early economy following fourth percent roaring sees
The NABE panel sees the economy roaring back in early 2006 following the fourth quarter's tepid 1.1 percent growth.