Joe Abate

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.

It'll be a solid number, but it won't post the 8.2 percent growth we saw for the third quarter.

It'll be a solid number, but it won't post the 8.2 percent growth we saw for the third quarter.

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.

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.

We now believe that the first Fed rate hike will not come until December, and we continue to worry the read more

We now believe that the first Fed rate hike will not come until December, and we continue to worry the Fed may be forced to ease again before it begins hiking rates.