Khuram Chaudhry Quotations

We're finding that the data from the U.S. on industrial activity were pretty weak. It's so-so on the consumer although housing activity is still holding up. When you look at Europe, Sweden and Hungary both cut interest rates this week.

There is a little bit of uncertainty about what exactly Mr. Greenspan will say today. Investors want to hear about interest rates. Yes, the economy has shown some signs of suffering recently, but that's countered by other data indicating continued improvement overall. Investors are cautious until they hear more from Greenspan today.

We've seen a lot of bad news emerge from the U.S., ... and it's likely to continue with regard to European companies.

One reason the futures may be up is because the latest economic data have been a bit softer than expected and that better for the direction of interest rates.

Today has been different from the past few weeks as we have seen real capitulation in the market as every stock and every sector is down.

I think the focus in the U.S. is on economic data coming out -- things like U.S. import prices. You find a weak dollar will translate into higher import prices. In corporate news, Cisco's numbers could have a positive impact, it was helping some of the European tech stocks early ... but European bourses have pulled back a bit.

Retail results will also be closely watched. One other factor we're watching related to oil is the effect the high prices could have on consumer spending.

Markets in Europe moved down after a turnaround in the U.S. markets. The good news was that the Bank of England cut interest rates at the same time other European bourses and the Bank of Japan joined in.

We have to see hard numbers on economic data showing there is some lift in the manufacturing and services sectors. The other trigger is very much Iraq -- if crude oil comes off significantly that should help the cyclical stocks.

We are in the midst of the third-quarter reporting season and it's quite likely the numbers will meet expectations or be below, so there is still scope for bad news.

There has been a slight softening in the economic data. Profits generally grow in line with the cycle, so if the economic data is growing sideways, or is not as strong as it was, then to what extent does that indicate (a) troubled recovery in profits?.

While this appears no more than a routine reshuffle, September's review is likely the impact the markets in a positive way.

We've had very sharp moves both in the U.S. and international markets,

This week is expected to be quiet with no major earnings reports, ... reached a bottom but a sharp upturn is unlikely.

We could see more of the same today, Europe is still moving lower on the back of where the U.S. was and the catalysts just don't seem to be there.

Earnings data is very strong. The numbers that are coming out are very much in line or above expectations.

The worse the outlook for corporate profits the better it's becoming for investors who are beginning to sense that perhaps the central bank will not raise interest rates again, ... When liquidity is in poor supply, it's good for stocks versus other asset classes.

The Royal Dutch/Shell story could be a drag on the sector today.

It seems like the U.S. markets are likely to see a sloppy start after Friday's sessions,

It looks like the worse the outlook for corporate profits the better it's becoming for investors who are beginning to sense that perhaps the central bank will not raise interest rates again.

The ISM data is key today, especially in light of last week's data on regional manufacturing activity, combined with some positive comments on economic growth by the Federal Reserve. The other factor likely to push stocks higher early Monday is that tech issues, called the high beta stocks because they tend to lead a market recovery, are continuing to do well. That's certainly a plus for the market.

If there are no interest rate cuts before the end of the year, the concern will be that we are going down the deflation road, since economic data is unlikely to turn up of its own accord,

Investors are getting concerned that we won't see a swift recovery in the U.S. economy,

In that environment, markets could retest lows, but if we get the policy response then we'll get more of a rally.

Iraq is still impinging on the market making any move firmer. My concern is that it is going to become more of an issue as we enter next year.

All eyes are on the Fed's decision expected later today (Wednesday). We've seen some downward pressure, especially on some of the telecom names, particularly France Telecom, and in also on some German stocks. But the main driver has been what happens with the Fed decision today,

The markets are still very defensive in tone. Airlines are still being hit quite sharply. But we saw some renewed interest in some of the telecommunication names.

The market has been watching oil prices very closely and there appears to be a near-term reprieve. Oil will continue to remain a dominant story with respect to the market.

The likelihood that oil hovers near the $59 mark is not a positive for markets because at that level investors are now looking at new highs for the commodity.