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.

Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Oeconomicus who wrote (517235)	12/30/2003 11:32:43 AM
From: Kenneth E. Phillipps	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769670

Consumer confidence falls Closely watched measure of consumer sentiment misses Wall Street forecasts for a gain. December 30, 2003: 10:26 AM EST NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Consumer confidence fell in December, a research group said Tuesday, missing Wall Street forecasts for a slight gain. The Conference Board, a business research group based in New York, said its closely watched index of consumer confidence fell to 91.3 from a revised 92.5 in November. Economists, on average, expected the confidence index, based on a survey of 5,000 households, to rise to 91.8 from the originally reported 91.7, according to Briefing.com. The survey's "expectations" index, measuring consumers' expectations for the future, rose to 102.9 from 100.1, but the "present situation" index fell to 73.9 from 81. Separately, the National Association of Realtors said sales of previously owned homes, the biggest share of the housing market, shrank in November more than analysts had expected, and Chicago's National Association of Purchasing Managers said its closely watched index of regional manufacturing activity was lower than expected in December. The trifecta of worse-than-expected economic news helped sink U.S. stock prices in early trading. Treasury bond prices erased earlier losses. Confidence is watched closely by policy makers and analysts, since consumer spending fuels more than two-thirds of the nation's economy. Hopes for a better job market pushed confidence higher in November, but those hopes apparently dimmed a bit in December. The percentage of survey respondents saying jobs are "hard to get" rose to 32.6 percent, the highest level since October, from 29.6 percent in November, the Conference Board said.

To: Oeconomicus who wrote (517235)	12/30/2003 1:01:55 PM
From: Kenneth V. McNutt	Respond to of 769670

<<LOL. Dizzie, during Clinton's first term, the "misery index", or sum of CPI inflation and the unemployment rate, ranged from 8.1% to 9.2%. It currently stands at 7.7%.>> Another small statistical fact. Some time ago, to adjust civilian to military pay and reduce loss of personnel, congress passed a law requiring the adjustment of military pay to match the private sector. During Bush 1 this discrepancy, between the military and civilian pay, was reduced a negative 5 %. During the Clinton administration's tenure this discrepancy soared to negative 13%, another sign Clinton balanced? the budget on the backs of the military. During his tenure more military personnel were on welfare or assistance than at any other time in history. PS. The extension of the length of military service is not new. It happens during every wartime period. I know from personal experience. The liberal loonies are trying to make a big thing of this. Ken