45 Quotes by Brian Bethune

Manufacturing is gaining strength heading into the second quarter. We have a level of capacity use that justifies more business investment.

That was a gust of wind in the spinnaker.

We're definitely going to see a very strong first quarter. It looked like consumers were hibernating in December, and all they needed was an excuse to go on a spending spree. The weather provided that.

With the expansion projected to accelerate in the third quarter and inflation projected to be contained, the Fed is expected to 'play the same tune' and 'dance the same step' into early 2006.

The overall momentum in construction remains solid. We expect this pattern to continue, with public and commercial construction taking the leadership baton in 2006 as housing starts ease back moderately.

The only consolation to farmers is that the price of seafood will go up further. So when production gets back on track, fish and shrimp producers can use the profits to recover their lost costs.

The expected drop in aircraft orders is strictly month-to- month noise and does not have any impact on the outlook for growth.

We saw a big rebound in corporate profits and that's a good signal for continued business investment. That generally leads to hiring, which will help keep consumption going.

There are reports of solid underlying demand for 30-year bonds from pension funds and insurance companies.