Khuram Chaudhry Data Quotations

One reason the futures may be up is because the latest economic data have been a bit softer than expected and that better for the direction of interest rates.

I think the focus in the U.S. is on economic data coming out -- things like U.S. import prices. You find a weak dollar will translate into higher import prices. In corporate news, Cisco's numbers could have a positive impact, it was helping some of the European tech stocks early ... but European bourses have pulled back a bit.

We have to see hard numbers on economic data showing there is some lift in the manufacturing and services sectors. The other trigger is very much Iraq -- if crude oil comes off significantly that should help the cyclical stocks.

There is a little bit of uncertainty about what exactly Mr. Greenspan will say today. Investors want to hear about interest rates. Yes, the economy has shown some signs of suffering recently, but that's countered by other data indicating continued improvement overall. Investors are cautious until they hear more from Greenspan today.

There has been a slight softening in the economic data. Profits generally grow in line with the cycle, so if the economic data is growing sideways, or is not as strong as it was, then to what extent does that indicate (a) troubled recovery in profits?.

We're finding that the data from the U.S. on industrial activity were pretty weak. It's so-so on the consumer although housing activity is still holding up. When you look at Europe, Sweden and Hungary both cut interest rates this week.

Earnings data is very strong. The numbers that are coming out are very much in line or above expectations.

If there are no interest rate cuts before the end of the year, the concern will be that we are going down the deflation road, since economic data is unlikely to turn up of its own accord,

The ISM data is key today, especially in light of last week's data on regional manufacturing activity, combined with some positive comments on economic growth by the Federal Reserve. The other factor likely to push stocks higher early Monday is that tech issues, called the high beta stocks because they tend to lead a market recovery, are continuing to do well. That's certainly a plus for the market.