25 Quotes by Michael Englund

We will likely see payback in February for the outsized January surge. It is unlikely that the combined data for the two months alter the robust trajectory.

Though inherent volatility in the monthly jobs report may lead to a January dud, all signs suggest that the risk is for a whopper that would solidify the view that the economy remains solid.

What we are seeing is that these numbers are coming in line with other confidence figures, which shot ahead in May and June with oil prices falling, and now with oil prices soaring, we are seeing the effect from higher prices at the pump.

The story is all about oil. This is still a fluid situation but we have enough information to feel comfortable lowering our economic growth estimate even further.

Producers tried to catch up with strong sales starting in June and July, but they can't keep up. Auto inventories took a big hit.

This data will tell us little about the economy going forward,

It's a slow week for releases, ... I think there's almost no chance the productivity revision or the wholesale inflation numbers will have much effect on the Fed's March policy decision.

It's the impact from Katrina, which in the first few weeks will be at a maximum, and it does increase our confidence that we will see a hit to the other sentiment indexes in September.

Consumers are always concerned about the economy but the key is whether they are predisposed to increasing caution when it comes to spending. I think today's report demonstrates that the hurricanes had an ambiguous affect on spending.