Gary Thayer
Gary Thayer
healthy looks quite spending start third
It looks like real spending was quite healthy for the start of the third quarter.
consumer despite energy holding market prices rising spending
Energy prices are dropping, and consumer spending is holding up despite rising unemployment . These are encouraging things the market is recognizing.
confidence consumer economy good heading holidays looks month next spending
It looks like the economy is stabilizing after the hurricane-related stresses and we're heading into the holidays with an upturn in confidence that is encouraging and bodes well for the good consumer spending over the next month or so.
business economy good healthy shows side spending
It still shows a pretty healthy economy at this point. The manufacturing side of things and business spending will be good this year.
active consumers financial giving looks problems shopping spend tight
It looks like consumers will be in a more giving mood, I don't think they will spend with abandon. There are still some tight financial problems for many people. We probably will see active shopping for bargains.
deficit drag economy economy-and-economics great help quarter revise third trade
It suggests the drag on the economy from the trade deficit in the third quarter will not be as great and could help revise up third-quarter GDP a bit,
dealing economy fed feet focus gasoline high hold jobs katrina lost overlook policy prices resulting shock steady strength until
The Fed will overlook the strength in the economy before Katrina and focus more on getting the economy back on its feet and probably will hold policy steady until we see how the economy is actually dealing with the shock of lost jobs and high gasoline prices resulting from Katrina.
critical gas hitting increases looks
The increases (in gas prices) looks like it's hitting a critical level.
continued growth report showing
The (February) manufacturing report was a little better than expected, showing continued growth in manufacturing.
australian canadian changing dollar economic global measured relative signals trends values zealand
The values of the Australian dollar, the New Zealand dollar and the Canadian dollar, as measured relative to the U.S. dollar, have been important signals of changing trends in global economic activity.
cooling housing inflation looks market relatively
The housing market is cooling off, but not too much, and inflation looks relatively benign.
affecting closely confidence decline factor shows watch watching whether
Historically, when we see confidence decline, we have to watch and see if it shows up also affecting spending. We'll be watching closely to see ... whether the decline in confidence is more of a psychological factor or a real factor affecting spending.
claims economy employment strong suggesting year
Claims are still suggesting that the economy started the year with a strong employment situation.
bias fed hold level low maintain policy rates steady toward
The Fed will probably hold rates steady at a low level as long as they can. And I think as long as the unemployment rate is rising, they'll maintain a policy bias toward weakness.