44 Quotes by Oscar Gonzalez

The report isn't so tame as to deter the Fed from bumping rates another notch, especially with Y2K fears dissipating and consumers showing no signs of fatigue. However, it should ease market fears that the Fed will need to tighten several more times.

Foreboding. That's the only word for today's report. We could be facing our worst case scenario: rising inflation in a slowing economy.

Strong but moderating retail sales and improving productivity suggest an economy that should continue to grow while avoiding overheating, ... The reports would seem to make it less likely that the Fed will need to move again this year.

The labor market remains the Achilles heel of a robust economic recovery. With the Fed talking about lowering interest rates to zero to get the economy growing strongly again, getting people back to work and increasing demand may be the Fed's primary worry.

The labor market remains the Achilles heel of a robust economic recovery, ... With the Fed talking about lowering interest rates to zero to get the economy growing strongly again, getting people back to work and increasing demand may be the Fed's primary worry.

Inflation is on the mat and not getting up soon. With the U.S. economy still in a recession and economies around the world weak, demand is slack and resulting in no inflationary pressures at all. Simply put, no one can raise prices.

Inflation hawks may be eating crow today. Despite their fears of tight labor markets and a strong economy, inflation is only creeping, not accelerating. I don't think that this report assures that the Fed tightening cycle is over, but I wouldn't be surprised to see rising market expectations of a rate cut. With most prices in check and energy prices easing, this report is about as good as it gets.

Inflation has picked up and there is some pricing power evident. Certainly by saying that, the Fed is telegraphing that they could easily increase rates by 50 basis points if they had to, even though at this point there doesn't seem to be a need for more than a quarter-point hike,

Higher oil prices and the stimulus coming from additional spending after Katrina both suggest that Fed would be on the side of raising rates.