42 Quotes by Ernie Goss

It's hard to say why the losses are so great in Missouri, but a lot of it has to do with heavy manufacturing. Companies are able to expand in terms of new orders without expanding employment. That's not entirely bad. I mean, it may be bad for the workers, but not for the economy.

Despite difficulties for Missouri's vehicle manufacturing sector, durable goods manufacturers overall continue to report expanding economic conditions. I expect the state's telecommunications industry to experience much improved growth for 2006.

The bankers in our survey reported economic weakness across the board for February with readings of 28.8 for retail sales, 44.0 for new hiring and 38.5 for home sales.

Strong growth among firms in business and professional services and truck transport offset somewhat weaker reports from manufacturers for March.

It's clear the overall economy is solid and pointing to growth in the upcoming months, much stronger than anticipated earlier because of energy prices and natural gas prices. We would have expected much slower growth.

Non-durable goods manufacturers, especially food processors, reported much softer economic conditions for the month. On the other hand, durable goods producers detailed solid, but not spectacular conditions for February.

The Mid-America regional economy began 2005 like a lion, but higher interest rates and elevated energy costs forced the region's economy to end the year like a lamb.

Increases over the past two months point to solid growth into the second quarter of this year.

In January I placed the likelihood of a Federal Reserve Rate hike in May at less than 10 percent. I now set the probability of at least a 25 basis point, or quarter percent, increase at 90 percent when the Fed meets again on May 10.