Alan Ackerman Rates Quotations

The promise of a cut in interest rates before the year's end is a safety net under the market.

This was the last chance for the Fed to raise rates in 1997. The market reacted earlier as if nothing would happen, and when the news came we saw some buyers but also some sellers going to work,

While the president may be in trouble, the U.S. economy does not appear to be in trouble as of now. We have a positive economic backdrop, with low inflation, low interest rates On balance, the American economy, while slowing down, continues to be strong.

The U.S. economic recovery appears to be further down the road than many expected, so another cut in interest rates is not likely to mean a great deal, ... What's more important is when companies report they're starting to see a reduction in inventories.

The jobs number was fuzzy, even though on balance it helped to perk up the market, ... Based on that number, the market is now factoring in that the economy is not weak enough for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in its Sept. 24 meeting.

A lower interest rate cycle is under way and lower interest rates are likely to prompt more money into the markets, ... For now it appears to be a 'safety first' posture, so we're seeing money rotating into better blue chip names that are more predictable in terms of earnings flow.

My feeling is the Fed hasn't clearly indicated that it's fighting a slower economy rather than inflation. Economists and individual investors would like to see the Fed cut rates by 75 basis points and I do believe that would take some of the pressure off the consumer.

People are concerned about higher interest rates ahead and they think the best way to protect themselves is to own growth stocks that may not be as hurt by higher rates,