Rates Quotations | Page 5

If interest rates and oil really begin to rise, it would be a problem for stocks. At the current levels, I'm not too worried. The markets and companies can manage.

If inflation risks increase and if the council reaches the conclusion interest rates have to rise, then they will increase.

If inflation is 3-4%, interest rates will drop to 5-7% and loans could be issued for 10 years.

If inflation gets out of hand, the Fed will have to raise interest rates more than is envisioned right now. Oil and energy can do it.

If inflation doesn't accelerate much from here, and the Fed just raises rates a little more, we might see something like the end of the 1990s again. But if the Fed has to really ramp up to fight inflation, it's going to be a much worse environment than investors realize.

If China is happy to see local interest rates rise, then it's happy to see some tightening monetary conditions in general and therefore could arguably be more receptive of yuan reform.

I did not come to Washington to raise the electricity rates by as much as $40 per month as this plan would do.

I can't interpret this report as a weak economy, and I don't think the Fed will either. They are going to persist in moving interest rates up until they see greater indications than what we have now that either the economy is weakening, or inflation is getting under control, or both.

I can't guarantee that interest rates will stay eternally at their current low levels.

Growth is proceeding on a solid pace this year, and inflation is low and stable. Plausible rates of moderation in housing activity will not pose a problem for overall activity this year or next.

Growth in employment this year is likely to be substantially lower than over the past year. In that sort of environment, we forecast the central bank will leave interest rates unchanged for the rest of the year.

Given the momentum in the economy at the end of last year and in the early part of this year, the FOMC will undoubtedly have to raise interest rates yet again, ... Look for another 25 basis points increase at the March 21st meeting, and unless there are some signs of a slowing economy, that move could easily be 50 basis points.

Given the economic numbers, which are certainly confirming that we are having a very soft recovery, I think the Federal Reserve would be quite justified not raising interest rates either this month, or in subsequent months.

Given the continued higher growth trajectory, the risks remain that interest rates need to be adjusted further up.

Given the complete absence of meaningful inflationary pressure evident in the economy now, and -- as the Fed put it, 'tentative evidence of a slowing in certain interest-rate sensitive sectors of the economy' -- we think there is very little chance that rates will rise again in the current cycle.

Given that some of the news of late ... has been on the weak side, and given that the Fed's own Beige Book report reflected weakness, they might show an inclination to cutting rates in the future,

Given that rising US interest rates underpinned the greenback's stellar performance in 2005, dollar bulls' disappointment in the wake of these minutes is inevitable.

Given recent Fed warnings over high levels of capacity utilization and low levels of unemployment, today's report increases the probability that the Fed will raise rates above 5.0% later this year. Last Friday's release of March unemployment further buttresses this view.

Girls have become users at rates that exceed boys or equal boys now, which never used to be the case.

Gillette remains confident that the continued strength of its core businesses, benefits from its reorganization and its optimization of trade inventories, coupled with an improvement in international economies, bode well for a return to its historic high growth rates in the near future,

For something where it?s a leisure draw, where there's no organization working collectively, like one of our races, then it's the free market. The hotels will set those rates based on what the market will permit, and that is pure supply and demand.

From a rates perspective, this release will provide a much needed tonic to those looking for lower UK rates.

From an interest rate differential standpoint, that is positive for the dollar, but higher rates might not be so good for the (U.S.) stock market so we could see some selling of (dollar-denominated) assets.

From my perspective it leaves the door open to further rate hikes. Remember: the Fed is taking back what they gave last year, which suggests they will raise rates one more time and then see what to do after that.

From expecting (the Fed) could raise rates three times more at most, there now seems to be a feeling there will be no more than two.

Frivolous lawsuits and skyrocketing insurance rates are driving doctors out of business and threatening access to care across America.

Gains in employment and the stock market continue to support confidence. Household income is expected to grow at rates that will sustain growth in consumer spending.

Futures are not for everyone, but with major stock indexes flat to down over the past five-year period, even buy-and-hold equity strategies have risks. With the recent activity in foreign exchange rates and commodities such as oil and metals, we anticipate even more investors will look at futures in the coming year.

Fundamentally, it's what's happening with the Nasdaq in the U.S. - the concerns about interest rates and earnings in the technology sector.

fully appreciate the risk that some households may have trouble meeting monthly payments as interest rates and the macroeconomic climate change.

Fukui's remarks today fueled speculation that the end of the policy could come as soon as March. With consumer prices projected to keep rising this year, the BOJ may raise rates as soon as October.

Fukui's comments have become dovish on rates and suggest he has no intention to tighten immediately. The pace of U.S. rate increases is expected to be much faster, given the comments from Fed officials. This will weigh on the yen.

Fundamentally we think rates should be higher than they are, but we've thought that for the last couple of years. The Fed's got a couple more hikes in it, and will stop out at 5 percent.

From the data we have seen to date, we wouldn't see the need to increase interest rates in the next six months.

I don't think anybody is concerned that eBay is going to fall apart. But there could be a lack of buyers if interest rates keep going up and consumers are more concerned about credit card debt.

I don't think anybody expects them to move on rates given their recent rhetoric.

I don't think we're going out on a limb in suggesting that the Fed will leave rates unchanged this time around. We expect the Fed may bide the time it has and wait to see how the economy looks before moving again, particularly with no solid evidence of rising inflation.

I don't think we're interested in subsidizing second and third vacation homes at substantially low market rates when individuals could be paying higher rates.

I don't want rates to go too far. Obviously you don't want to make a series of bad judgments. I don't think that is the case.

I expect higher commodity prices and escalating short-term interest rates to push regional growth down significantly in the second half of 2006.

I don't think it's going to be a clear shot to double-digit stock fund returns for the rest of the year because financial services stocks still must show up for the party. The Federal Reserve remains the elephant in the room, and there is a building consensus that it will raise rates another quarter-point in May.

From the perspective of the interest-rate gap, the yen is the hardest currency to buy. Japan is far away from raising its interest rate. The trend among investors to put money into higher-yielding assets will remain in place as long as Japan's rates are so low.

For those claiming that inflation is right around the corner, they can point to this number and say, 'Aha, it's justified,' ... In my mind, this is really a one-time development and we're more likely to see more benign inflation data later in the year. But these numbers are terrible. They make an increase in interest rates all but inevitable.

Fortunately, interest rates remain at 25-year lows and are expected to remain low over the coming year.

For most states in the region, unemployment rates moved lower and job growth higher as manufacturers, finance firms and energy providers details growth. However, telecommunications remained weak and construction cooled in January.

Given the rise we saw, it shows you the importance of interest rates and what the Fed thinks. This gives us hope that the Fed will be sensitive to the economy and we can get back to that nice 'Goldilocks' economy where growth is just right.

GM has a high degree of confidence in the business despite the volatility in the marketplace and the intense competitive environment, ... GM's inventory levels came down significantly during the first half and are now at appropriate levels.  This should allow us to maintain reasonably stable production rates for the balance of the year.

Given where loan rates are at, it's not good for any bank.

Global interest rates are having an effect. ... We've seen a pickup in interest-rate expectations in the U.S., and I think that's leading to concerns about the growth outlook, which is hitting the more cyclical sectors.

If it comes in too weak, you get worries about the economy. If you get a blowout number, everyone will get obsessed about interest rates again, the bond market will go into a tizzy, and stocks will slide.

If we started to see above-potential growth, that would certainly be something the bank would be concerned about. It makes sense while the opportunity is available to start to bring those rates up a little bit.

If we see inflation to continue to come in on the soft side, then the market will intensify its speculation that the peak in U.S. rates is quite close.

If we see economic indicators continue to weaken at the pace they have weakened in the past month, then I'm wrong. We could not only see mortgage rates continue to soften, but hold at lower levels for quite a substantial period -- maybe the first half of next year. But I don't think that's likely to happen.

If those numbers come in as expected, you can pretty much bet on a seeing a major rally in the markets. The expectations will be that, so long as wages are tame, the Fed will bide their time and leave rates alone.

If the unemployment rate is weak, look for the Fed to cut interest rates by a full 50 basis points (half a percentage point).

If the statement that follows suggests they may look to halt their policy of raising in moderation, to the extent that they're not going to raise rates again at the next meeting, then the dollar could suffer on the back of that and that would give a boost to gold.

If the economy keeps growing at a faster pace, the Fed may need to boost rates for longer than what markets are currently expecting. I think that's what the stock and bond markets are reacting to right now.

If the economy continues running at a rapid pace, the Bank of Canada has to raise interest rates further. Yields will go up as people expect the Bank of Canada may go more than just one more time.

If the dollar continues to fall, and we end up in a free fall, at one point the Fed will have to be more aggressive, ... They may have to respond by raising interest rates by half a point.

If the Fed's cuts succeed in stimulating the economy, then mortgage rates are actually likely to rise,

If the Fed raises rates three times, they're not doing it just to have fun. Life is good.

If the Fed lowers rates next week, the questions become 'How much further can they go?,' 'Is it effective?,' and 'Can the Fed really turn things around?,'

If the Fed is on the warpath with an eye to slowing the economy and trying to blunt inflation before it becomes a problem, by slowing the economy the Fed is hoping to address any imbalances between supply and demand, specifically for labor. It feels to me like the market is starting to look beyond the impact of the Fed and setting ourselves up for a second half where the wrestling match will not be between interest rates and valuations but rather between earnings and valuations.

If the investment climate has not improved sufficiently to maintain capital inflows by the time BI cuts its rates in the second half of 2006, then capital outflow will be the likely result.

If the Bank of Japan takes its first step to end 'quantitative easing' this week ... we believe that it is unwise to assume that the Bank of Japan will continue with zero interest rates for long after ending its policy.

If the Bank of Canadian continues to hike rates after the Federal Reserve pauses, it will narrow the rate differential between the two. This will make the Canadian dollar more favorable.

If stocks keep deteriorating and the Fed were to cut rates in a coordinated response with the Bank of England, you could see some short-term positive response,

If it remains this close to 2 percent, then I think economically speaking, we're sitting pretty. I don't think this changes what the Fed does in May. I think another rate hike is likely then. But I think it stems the talk of rates rising as high as 5.25 percent, at least for now.

If it looks like high oil prices will be sustained or even rise further, then it does put the pressure on the bank to hike rates again.

Had this number been very high, the markets would have been quite confident the Fed would raise rates. The real question is whether they are going to pull the trigger on interest rates again, and my answer is no.

He implicitly admitted that they have a bias for a tighter policy. They believe that rates are very low and need to be higher.

He hopes that if he raises rates in December, combined with all this talk, then that would be enough.

He (Greenspan) is expected to try to dampen fears that the Fed might raise rates any time soon and also try to keep open the possibility that the Fed might yet ease policy further.

He might as well have just said 'we are going to raise rates by 25 basis points,

We expect to see continued, although slower growth in housing. Higher interest rates will tend to dampen home sales somewhat. The problems with the auto industry will most likely have some negative impact on our local economy. However, the positive initiatives happening at Purdue and in the Purdue Research Park may tend to offset any negatives from the auto industry.

What most employees do not realize is that corporate rebates and incentives are enacted when the employee population reaches thresholds outlined in their vendor contracts. Meaning, while an employee thinks the actual cost of his or her airline ticket is $500, the actual cost may be much less. And in most cases preferred supplier contracts contain volume commitments that, if not met, could jeopardize an entire contract and cost the company millions in lost discounts based on non-performance. This is precisely why compliance with preferred vendors and contracted rates is critical.

There is a lag factor. A year ago, even six months ago, we were sitting here wondering when consumers would sense that interest rates were going up. I don't think this significantly affects the first quarter.

There is a greater degree of uncertainty, and stability will need to be restored. So that implies that they'll cut rates if they have to restore that stability.

There is a good deal of underlying momentum in the U.S. economy, which is probably underestimated by the market. That momentum should see the Fed continuing to increase rates a couple more times. Dollar-yen remains very much an indicator of both yield differentials.

There is a good chance that the Fed won't raise rates on Sept. 20 but in doing so they are likely reaffirm that they will raise rates thereafter.

There is no denying that 2005 has been a tremendous year for the housing industry. Very favorable interest rates and strong buyer demand has helped spur the housing market beyond the record sales set in 2004. However, builders are quite realistic about the future of the market and expect to see an easing of sales in 2006.

There is no chance of a spontaneous slowing in home sales. The market will soften if -- and only if -- mortgage rates rise significantly.

There is no economic justification to raise rates. There is no sign that prices can go up much in this competitive environment? Raise rates or not raise rates, I feel that the market will continue its appointed rounds on the up side.

There is huge strength in employment ? It shows continued strength in the labor market, which supports the Canadian dollar. The Bank of Canada may look closely at this number and sit up and think about whether they should increase interest rates further. There is probability they may go beyond 4 percent.

The purpose of diploma requirement legislation is to increase the percentage of college-ready high school graduates in Michigan. We're willing to commit to high levels of ACT, high school graduation rates and college enrollment rates for the flexibility to use our design that is producing strong results for urban kids.

We're proud that any student can walk and play 18 holes of golf for $5 during the week and $8 during the weekend. Faculty and staff will have discounted rates as well. It's a great thing for the university as a whole. Students will have to provide their own equipment. In the future we hope to offer rental sets, but at the moment we don't have any.

We're probably in a situation where interest rates will stay somewhere around the current levels.

We're optimistic the incidence rates will be driven back down. The challenge will be to get those 11-year-olds back in for their booster shot.

What we are trying to do is demonstrate to the Fed that there is a strong interest in Congress to keep interest rates the way they are, ... There is no sign of inflation, no reason to raise rates.

What impressed me was he looks like he's kind and rates well, and that should help him stretch out.

We've gone from a period where there was a reasonable chance the Fed might cut rates just four months ago to one in which the Fed is very much comfortably just sitting on hold for now.

With most economic data pointing to continued strength it's likely, and would be prudent, for the ECB to raise rates in March. There's not a huge amount of support for the market.

With mortgage rates still low, there is no evidence yet that levels of housing activity are declining to any great extent.

With mortgage rates low and consumer confidence high, Freddie Mac economists expect the housing market to remain strong in the months ahead.

With mortgage rates falling as banks compete aggressively for business, homebuyers are being encouraged to buy apartments.

We think expectations of higher interest rates are far more likely to strengthen than to retreat significantly.

We think around 4.5 percent is the adequate level for U.S. interest rates -- you could call it a neutral level -- and as there are modest inflation risks in the U.S., we expect the Fed to go slightly beyond that to 4.75.

When interest rates increase, they have a capital loss. During a time of ECB rate increases, Japanese investors don't want to buy European bonds.

When interest rates go up, the utilities don't do so well, and I think there's a developing consensus that they've gone awfully far.

When interest rates are high you want the average direction in which interest rates are moving to be downward; when interest rates are low you want the average direction to be upward.