Joe Abate

We are talking about an economy averaging about 30 miles per hour in a 60-mph speed zone. That keeps pressure read more

We are talking about an economy averaging about 30 miles per hour in a 60-mph speed zone. That keeps pressure on the unemployment rate, forcing it to continue to rise. By summer, we could have 6.4 percent unemployment.

The stronger data virtually assure significant changes in the Fed's directive this week. The new directive will probably include a read more

The stronger data virtually assure significant changes in the Fed's directive this week. The new directive will probably include a grudging acknowledgement of the stronger labor market and inflation statistics.

The economy is weakening and we're going to see more of the effects of that.

The economy is weakening and we're going to see more of the effects of that.

In the long run, crowding out tends to mitigate the effects of fiscal policy.

In the long run, crowding out tends to mitigate the effects of fiscal policy.

The employment picture remains fairly grim, and that's having a dampening effect on measures of consumer confidence. And we have read more

The employment picture remains fairly grim, and that's having a dampening effect on measures of consumer confidence. And we have higher energy prices, which is another drag on consumer confidence and a 'tax' on consumer spending.