Tom Schrader Consumer Quotations

We've got some weighty numbers tomorrow, with consumer sentiment and Chicago PMI due.

Everyone's always concerned about inflationary pressures, and the CPI will certainly give us a hint about that on the consumer side.

They like the CPI news this morning and the action in oil markets, with oil down 2 percent. Investors are less worried about inflation, and with energy prices coming in a little bit, that will give more money for the consumer to spend.

The confidence number this morning was abysmal, and that's what shocked the market. The higher oil prices are definitely starting to have an impact on consumer spending.

A strong payrolls number would be important for the market and could get the indexes moving as it would enhance hopes that the labor market is improving, which ties into consumer confidence and consumer spending.

The consumer confidence (index) this morning was better than expected, and the lack of negative pre-announcements has given people the impression that first-quarter earnings are going to be good.