Joe Abate

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.

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 odds are that things are going to be a little stronger than people anticipate in another month or so. read more

The odds are that things are going to be a little stronger than people anticipate in another month or so. With the exception of the labor market data, which will continue to stink.

What you're seeing is a glut of gently used vehicles, and that's putting pressure on all vehicle prices.

What you're seeing is a glut of gently used vehicles, and that's putting pressure on all vehicle prices.

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.