It is an oil day. Oil is over $68 now and that, combined with a very hawkish statement from the Fed, is weighing on the market. Energy prices at the gas pump are impacting consumer spending and its impact is reflected in AutoZone's earnings and Avon's profit warning.
There's still a lot of concerns about the impact of higher interest rates and energy costs weighing on the stock market. And after the rally in stocks we've seen this week, investors just took a pause.
The jump in oil prices lifted shares in the whole energy sector. And we also had very strong confidence numbers, which helped support the rest of the market.
Earnings in 2006 will be influenced by a combination of higher rates, energy prices and perhaps even lower demand. The market is not excited with stocks right now.
All the efforts have been made to boost sales. But we aren't seeing much evidence of it. Energy costs are high and are squeezing out other purchases.