Continuing consolidation largely depends on whether or not tax relief announced in February provides new stimulus to this consolidating curve.

Data releases for the closing months of 2005 are expected to reflect buoyant activity, especially as we tally up retailers' Christmas sales. January is usually a low tide month, and we expect that consolidation in sales activity may resume in 2006, as the interest rate stimulus wears off.

I strongly support tax relief for the middle class.

Anything that has to do with tax relief is politically appealing.

I'm not sure where the stimulus is,

Not continuing a tax cut is not technically a tax increase.