Gary Thayer
Gary Thayer
bit confidence healthy high pull saw year
Overall, confidence is still at a healthy level, up from where it was a year ago, but we did pull back a bit from the three-year high that we saw in June.
activity hard hit improvement last late others sector seeing side since terror travel year
We've been seeing improvement in the non-manufacturing side since late last year. We're seeing more activity in the travel sector and others that were hit really hard last year after the terror attacks.
bit compared optimistic people weak year
We're still weak compared to where we were a year ago, but people are a little bit more optimistic about the future,
good higher inflation news number revised running saw slightly year
The good news is that the inflation number was also revised down slightly but is still running higher than we saw a year or so ago,
claims economy employment strong suggesting year
Claims are still suggesting that the economy started the year with a strong employment situation.
claims drop economy good heading job labor market momentum recovered shows strength year
The jobless claims drop shows good strength in the labor market at the end of the year. It shows that the economy has recovered after the hurricanes and is heading into the new year with good momentum and good job prospects.
average beginning increase looks months percent retail sales strong together year
If you put the two months together it still looks as if retail sales were strong at the beginning of the year -- an average increase of 0.8 percent for each of the two months.
close peak
I think we're close to a peak in the unemployment rate. The upswings in manufacturing and non-manufacturing show we're close to it now.
close peak
I think we're close to a peak in the unemployment rate, ... The upswings in manufacturing and non-manufacturing show we're close to it now.
cause concerned economy healthy heat inflation pressure road somewhere trajectory
I think what he's concerned about is that the economy is on a good, healthy trajectory and if we do see some upward pressure on inflation somewhere down the road that that could cause the economy to heat up a bit.
anticipate fed good hold inflation news people stay
We got good news on inflation. People anticipate that with inflation still very low, the Fed will stay on hold for awhile.
buying consumers
It does show consumers are in a buying mood,
consumers employment happening negative possibly situation taking
It is encouraging that consumers are taking the negative things that are happening recently. Possibly the employment situation is outweighing other concerns.
orders weakness
Manufacturing is expanding, but not as broadly as in November. There was weakness in new orders and employment.