The big surprise here is that even if we take out auto dealership and gasoline station sales, we're still up by one percent, ... This is a summary of consumer spending that is replete with unexpected vigor.

The big surprise here is that even if we take out auto dealership and gasoline station sales, we're still up by one percent. This is a summary of consumer spending that is replete with unexpected vigor.

Despite the slippage in home sales there is no evidence of any nationwide softening of home prices, though it may be difficult to avoid some slippage in the price of residential real estate if only because a slower pace of home sales is likely for 2006,

Travel is good, restaurant sales are brisk, and we find an acceleration of retail sales that surprises me.

We have gone from a situation where investors were on the verge of a nervous breakdown to a level of high anxiety.

Unless energy prices ease, the holiday shopping season will probably be mediocre at best.