These [jobless] numbers confirm everything that came out in the Fed statement. Things are going to get worse before they get better on the unemployment rate front.

These numbers give the Fed license to cut rates as much as necessary.

The market is likely to find enough underpinnings in the FOMC statement to lessen fears of Fed tightening in the next several months.

What investors should realize is that the hostesses have been recruited to start removing the punch bowls from all Fed reception rooms and will soon be out full in force and ready to continue raising short-term rates well into 2003.

Next week's producer price index or consumer price index could tip the Fed in favor of a June hike if they're on the upside.

November's numbers confirm that housing activity has peaked and is now slowing.