Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : The Justa & Lars Honors Bob Brinker Investment Club -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wally Mastroly who wrote (9812)	11/12/1999 8:59:00 AM
From: Wally Mastroly	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 15132

Edit- Eco reports: Will the Greenman focus on tight labor(costs) or productivity... 08:30 Q3 MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITY UP 3.4%, UNIT LABOR COSTS UP 2.7% 08:30 PRODUCTIVITY GIVES FED REASON TO PAUSE ON NOV. 16 FOMC MEETING 08:30 Q3 PRODUCTIVITY EXCEEDS 2.9% CONSENSUS FORECAST 08:30 Q3 NONFARM UNIT LABOR COSTS UP 0.6% VS. 4.2% Q2 08:30 Q3 NONFARM PRODUCTIVITY UP 4.2% VS. 0.6% Q2, BEST SINCE Q1 1998 08:30 SEPT. RETAIL SALES REVISED DN TO 0.1% DROP 08:30 U.S. OCTOBER RETAIL SALES FLAT; EXCLUDING AUTOS UP 0.5% - usatoday.com Worker productivity catches fires WASHINGTON - U.S. worker productivity in the third quarter registered the largest increase in almost two years and a rise in labor costs subsided, Labor Department figures showed Friday. Productivity rose at a larger-than-expected 4.2% annual rate in the third quarter after a second-quarter increase of 0.6%. Analysts expected a 3% increase for the third quarter. Unit labor costs - a measure of worker compensation tied to changes in productivity - rose at a 0.6% rate in the third quarter after rising 4.2% in the second quarter. The third-quarter gain in labor costs was the smallest since a 0.5% rise in the fourth quarter of last year. The increase in productivity was the largest since an annualized gain of 4.4% in the first quarter of 1998, the Labor Department said. - Bloomberg - with details: bloomberg.com

To: Wally Mastroly who wrote (9812)	11/12/1999 6:35:00 PM
From: Justa Werkenstiff	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 15132

Wally: Re: "Prior to today's econ. reports, speculation continues on possible rate increase." I don't think it matters at this point. S & P 500 and DOW are on the launching pad ready to test the highs on the green light from the Green Man. If he raises rates, market will see that as positive if bias remains neutral. If they maintain a tightening bias along with raising rates, market may have difficulty which might be what the Green Man wants. After all, it does not take a genius to figure out what the markets are ready to do come Tuesday if they get what they want. Watch that discount rate too. He can play that card. If he does nothing, market will also see that as positive short term absent any bad numbers regardless of the bias. They will say he sees the new era and embraces it. However, if we do get bad numbers between November 16th and the next meeting, bond market will think he is behind the curve. I think this meeting will determine the extent to which the Green Man is stock market obsessed. The market is ready to rally hard here if the Green Man gives the green light. Anybody can see it. Will the Green Man do anything about it? I would bet that he does.