Steven Wood Rising Quotations

The pace of layoffs is rising again, while new hiring has stopped, ... These trends will likely be extended because of the economic dislocations associated with this week's tragic events.

The pace of layoffs is rising again, while new hiring has stopped. These trends will likely be extended because of the economic dislocations associated with this week's tragic events.

The demand for new housing surged, likely because rising mortgage rates motivated some potential homebuyers to accelerate their buying decisions.

With last week's Fed tightening, mortgage rates have continued to rise, so that further declines in housing activity are likely over the balance of the year. Nevertheless, robust labor markets and rising incomes have helped sustain housing at a relatively high level.

These data continue to show that the housing market remains resilient in the face of rising interest rates. This resiliency will make it more difficult for the (Federal Open Market Committee) to slow the economy,

Despite rising interest rates and higher energy costs, the consumer remains remarkably resilient.

In an environment of slower growth, steady job creation, weaker productivity gains, and modestly rising inflation that we envision for 2005, the FOMC will continue to lift its target federal funds rate.

The level of economic optimism is still quite high, especially given the continued sluggishness in the economy, rising joblessness, corporate profits warnings and equity market volatility,