Mark Vitner
Mark Vitner
cause doubt fed next point quarter raise rates report strong three
I don't think there's much doubt the Fed will raise rates by a quarter point each of the next three meetings. Even a really strong report probably won't cause them to raise rates by a half-point.
caused december forward january might normally occurred orders pulled
That caused some orders to be pulled forward into December that might have normally occurred in January or February,
cause damage flood insurance lack likely recovery tend
Flood damage does not tend to be as insured. The lack of insurance is likely to cause the recovery to be delayed,
cause coming conclude economic expected fed heels inflation interest june leave news rates recent unchanged weaker
Coming on the heels of the recent spate of weaker economic reports, the better than expected inflation news will probably cause the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged at their June FOMC meeting, ... It is still way too soon, however, to conclude that the Fed is done.
attack cause clouds economic economy land mines next potential problem recession scale storm
I don't see any storm clouds on the economic horizon. We don't see any potential land mines or problem areas. Even an attack on the scale of 9/11 would not cause the economy to go into recession in the next two years.
cause energy higher major prices problems rest
The higher energy prices have already spilled over into the rest of the economy. But it probably will not cause major problems for the economy.
bush cause employment george harm keeping low people raise rates weak
They would like to raise rates, but right now, keeping rates a little too low would cause the least harm in the economy. If they raise rates after this weak employment report, people will be hollering. George Bush would be hollering the loudest.
accounting company markets pension surprising
But pension accounting is awfully complicated and it's an awfully big company, so it's not surprising the markets would get a little spooked by it.
continues defy demand doom housing quite record remains strong year
It continues to defy all the expectations of doom in the housing market. Demand for housing still remains quite strong and this year will be a record year for single-family construction.
accounts motor overall percent rebound retail rise sales vehicle
A rebound in motor vehicle sales accounts for much of December's 0.7 percent rise in overall retail sales and is also responsible for much of November's upward revision.
increase inflation meaningful numbers pick rent
If we see an increase in rent we could really see inflation numbers pick up in a meaningful way.
federal larger money response spent
The federal response has been much larger than we thought it would be, ... And the money is being spent much more quickly.
coming consumer disaster faster help hit minimize money natural relief
The relief money is coming in much faster than it has for any other natural disaster that I can remember. That should help minimize some of the hit on consumer spending,
breathing fed gives interest room
It gives the Fed a little more breathing room on interest rates, that's the most I can say.