Lynn Reaser Quotations

We have basically an optimal present economic situation, with solid growth and benign inflation.

On the import side, the strength is from a rebuilding of inventories from companies and a general expansion of the U.S. economy. Petroleum imports increased, adding to the import bills.

But we do believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Businesses are regaining confidence to the point where they are now actively hiring new workers.

If a company is mute, they (investors) often sell because of the uncertainty. Go back and start looking at fundamentals.

He is keeping his options open, but he also is suggesting that we may not see a straight-line path for interest rates. I think he is trying to knock down the notion that the Fed could come to a stop and that the story will end there.

He's arguing that the limit may be starting to be reached as foreign investors avoid an over concentration of their portfolios' in dollars, but that the impact would likely not be traumatic.

I think they might leave it in one more time, but they are certainly moving to the point where they will need to modify or remove that language.

Overall inflation remains quite benign. Companies selling to consumers and businesses have limited pricing power.

Retailers are biting their nails because of the large decline in consumer confidence. But it remains to be seen whether consumers will vote with their feet.

Statistics do lag changes in the economy. I believe we will be migrating to one economy that will be a new economy as many companies that have been around for years embrace some of the newer technology.

Today was a relief rally; it was an oil-price relief story. Oil prices are still very high, but much more moderate than the worst fears of last week.

Today was a relief rally; it was an oil-price relief story, ... Oil prices are still very high, but much more moderate than the worst fears of last week.

Today was a relief rally; it was an oil price relief story,

We had expected a snap-back in consumer spending after a decline in May, and that's what these numbers showed, ... Consumers appeared to be optimistic in their spending, despite the stock market and the ongoing corporate frauds and malfeasance.

We are seeing on one side fewer layoffs, and on the other side we are seeing a pickup in hiring.

Wall Street breathed a collective sigh of relief this week as fears of mounting inflationary pressures and additional rate hikes by the Federal Reserve suddenly evaporated.

We expect the 12th consecutive increase in the target fed funds rate and really no change in the tactics deployed in recent meetings.

We don't think we are going to have another recession ... We think there is enough stimulus in the pipeline, enough positive news in there to allow the economy to keep on a growth track for the next year.

This number shows that inflation is in a benign mode for the U.S. economy.

We could very much be close to the peak at this time.

Earlier in the summer, the big concern was accounting, but the issue now is whether the economy is going to hold up,

The stock market now faces two primary risks. First, the economy could slow too much, which would jeopardize profit performance. Second, a strong rebound in stocks could stoke consumer spending and renew concerns about overheating and additional interest rate hikes.

Right now we're already starting to see that rebuilding is under way and energy prices are moving lower so that makes it easier for them to stick to their strategy. They will likely conclude that the economy is showing a great deal of resilience and that it is able to withstand a higher level of oil prices.

Oil prices are still very high, but much more moderate than the worst fears of last week.

Companies are looking to expand profits more now through sales growth than cost cutting.

Ascertain a trend rather than a reaction ? try not to read too much into economic numbers,

The cacophony on Wall Street this week reflected concerns that the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates further and that corporate profit performance could start to dissipate.

This is another sign that the manufacturing sector is positioned for an upswing in the third quarter.

Americans are saving very little out of their current income. The primary vehicle that's doing the savings for households is their home.

They are definitely off auto pilot. Although another increase at the end of March seems likely, the statement in the minutes reinforces the view that future policy steps will depend more on the behavior of economic statistics.

This is very good evidence that the interest rate hikes are working,

Consumers seem to have rebounded from the low point of spirits this year reached right after the hurricanes struck. But they are still somewhat anxious about the energy situation and how that will fare in the coming months.

The news makes people nervous about corporate management.

It will be ugly. In any case it's only one month's number, but it could either alleviate or exacerbate inflation concerns which have recently accelerated.

They (investors) tend to overreact to individual economic reports which may be more statistical noise than an underlying trend which takes three to four months to develop, ... They tend to pay equal attention to almost any report that is relevant, and some are more significant than others.

These numbers really indicate some pockets of weakness. It suggests manufacturers are having a difficult time in some sectors and it does suggest some areas of slowing within the economy.

This is likely to become a much bigger issue as we near the end of the year.

The Fed is likely to acknowledge some dampening in growth from rising energy costs. But it will suggest the underlying economy is solid and although inflation has been in check recently, there are upside risks going forward,

The Federal Reserve cannot address directly supply disruptions and really the best support they can give in this situation is to keep the economy on a sound footing with low inflation.

The market generally tries to look forward. It's trying to look over the valley but doesn't know how far or wide that valley will be.

The underlying trend still seems to be relatively low, but the jobless claims will reflect the destruction to business activity in the region during the next two to three weeks.

The higher level of energy prices is certainly affecting the psychology of consumers. But the underlying strength of the economy, and the continued increase in the relative strength of the underlying job market should prevent consumer spending from collapsing.

The improving job market is boosting consumer sentiment. Employees are beginning to see a somewhat better chance of receiving wage increases this year. If oil prices stabilize as we expect, consumers this year should see their paychecks stay ahead of inflation.

The economy was pretty much firing on all cylinders, and the second quarter showed us still on a good growth track ... but oil prices pose a risk to growth and inflation.

The economy was firing on almost all cylinders. It is continuing to show the resilience we've seen time and time again.

The economy remains very solid and it appears likely to expand at a pace of 4-1/2 percent to 5 percent in the second half of the year.

All the components are above the break-even point of 50. There is also relief in the prices paid component from lower energy costs along with easing in delivery time.