The employment report is one of the key indicators for figuring out if the consumer can hold on. We’re trying to transition this economy away from the consumer, but this potential war is getting in...

Between leading indicators and subdued inflation expectations, it’s really set a nice backdrop for the market today,

After looking at the employment numbers, there is no doubt in my mind that the measured language remains. Knowing what we know now, there’s no pause in 2005.

Over the last four years the Fed has played the part of a surrealistic painter, creating a dreamy backdrop with generously low interest rates.

Investing in a mutual fund is like riding in a bus; your progress depends in large part on other people and what they’re doing. An exchange-traded fund is closer to riding in your own car.

The bond market is still behind the inflation curve. The inflation story continues to chip away at our economy and it doesn’t seem to be getting any weaker.

We’re still getting more negatives on the economic front today, and this is a period where we’re really looking for economic growth to avoid a Fed rate cut.

Economists are expecting a gradual slowdown in economic growth paired with a slowdown in inflation. That will allow the Federal Reserve to wind up its rate-hiking campaign.

Investors have their rally caps on for year end, and we’re doing it with speculation. With a good inflation report and strong growth, it seems to be the perfect elixir for Wall Street.

Gold is creating a psychological dark cloud over the market. With gold on the upside and inflation fears, the numbers we get tomorrow will clarify some of these concerns.

Investors are taking stock of earnings and questioning whether they should be as optimistic as they are.

The projected job growth number would mark a pretty strong snapback from the previous month.

We can’t believe any trend right now, until the issues tied to this conflict are resolved. Unfortunately, in this kind of market there’s going to be no clear direction. We’re going to be in this...