We’re going to get some weak numbers. The ISM report is going to be weak and that we’re in store for a labor report that’s weaker than what we’ve seen over the past four or...

Away from autos, the economy is growing at a steady, lackluster pace. It’s just kind of slow and steady and not very exciting.

The economy has clearly downshifted in the fourth quarter from its third-quarter pace,

This says businesses are gradually, grudgingly putting money to work. They’re still being cautious, but not as cautious as the data before this morning would have suggested.

When you look at the two numbers together, overall orders are up about 4.2 percent, or 2.1 percent per month. That’s not a stellar performance, but [it’s] also much better than the market thought.

All today’s data tell you the business sector is becoming more engaged and consumers are handing the baton over to the business sector, making it highly likely that the recovery will turn into a fully...

There’s been continued resilience among consumers. And manufacturers are having to produce things to meet that demand.