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.

Strategies & Market Trends : Booms, Busts, and Recoveries -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ilaine who wrote (13639)	1/18/2002 11:38:44 AM
From: AC Flyer	Respond to of 74559

Consumers More Upbeat in Early January Updated 10:43 AM ET January 18, 2002 By Ross Finley NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumers were at their most upbeat in a year in January as growing expectations for recovery from recession eclipsed worries about joblessness, a key gauge of consumer sentiment showed on Friday. In another sign consumer optimism has withstood the worst of the current downturn relatively unscathed, the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index surged for a fourth straight month to 94.2 in early January from 88.8 in December. The index was much higher than consensus forecasts of 89.3. It now stands at its highest level since January 2001 and has risen more than 12 points from a low of 81.8 struck after the Sept. 11 attacks. ``It's telling you the same thing everything else is telling you -- that people are becoming more optimistic,'' said James Glassman, senior economist at J.P. Morgan Chase in New York. Economists track consumer sentiment because it can often give clues on future consumer spending, which underpins two-thirds of the U.S. economy. American consumers have remained resilient throughout the current recession, which began in March 2001. U.S. Treasury securities, which have in recent sessions reflected increasing doubt among traders that the Federal Reserve will deliver another interest rate cut at month's end, briefly extended earlier losses. Stock investors, focused on corporate earnings news, mostly shrugged off the data. ``The mood is changing partly in response to the Fed's aggressive action, which is supporting optimism ... and the economy seems to be doing a lot better than many people feared,'' said Glassman. The current conditions index, which measures Americans' attitudes about their present financial situation, edged down to 98.1 in January from 99.0. But the expectations index, which tracks consumer attitudes about the year ahead, roared up to 91.7 in January from 82.3 in December. The preliminary consumer sentiment survey is based on telephone interviews with roughly 250 Americans across the country on personal finances, business conditions and buying conditions. It is revised with a total of 500 interviews at the end of the month.

To: Ilaine who wrote (13639)	1/18/2002 12:57:18 PM
From: smolejv@gmx.net	Respond to of 74559

Prognosticator !? I think, what we got here is a failure to communicate. I dont see Noland as a prognosticator. If yes, then Warren Buffet is one as well - see company pension plans issue etc. Well, just think of me, when you see somebody criticizing / offering a different view / blasting away at xyz, and send me the URL. And, I appreciate refs that are longer than your "accurate as a stopped clock". You know, eventually, it's still MY money. RegZ dj