Quotes by Rick Meckler

“A rising interest-rate environment is a drag on both stocks and on consumer spending. On the other hand, youve made your way almost through third-quarter earnings, and youre about to start the strongest season of the year for many companies.”

“I think that the idea of never-ending, short-term-rate increases no longer seems as likely to people. But I would not be surprised if the Fed still increases, but signals to the market that they are prepared to stop increasing if the economy slows due to the hurricane.”

“I think were coming to the end of it. The rise of energy prices and the general impact of the hurricane would make it dangerous for the Fed to push rates higher and higher.”

“There isnt enough good news right now to really get people involved. Most professionals and individuals are just holding, looking for some clarity on the transition in Iraq, looking for some clarity on the presidential election, and, perhaps more importantly, looking for some clarity from the Fed on rate rises.”

“The market has been poised to break out on the upside but there seems to be a lot of resistance to every rally.”

“People will be focusing on the 10 oclock number. The market has shifted to a fear of recession, as implied by inversion of the yield curve, and consumer confidence could go a long way to restoring a more positive view.”

“It was too much for the market to overcome. Otherwise, it could have been an even better year profit-wise if so much of (companies) earnings werent deflected into energy costs.”

“The alternatives to equity investment today, when money market rates are as high as they are, are much different than they were a year ago. It gives people more of a choice when there is some bad news.”

“The worst of the earnings news is probably out of the way and expectations are probably back in line.”

“The year is starting off with strong M&A activity, and part of whats driving the economic cycle is consolidation. It does provide some support for the market.”