Barry Hyman Toward Quotations

The productivity number is key toward determining whether the economy can show some stabilization. We've seen weakening numbers, which hasn't helped, but there is no inflation story to talk about here.

If we get any guidance that the Fed would be guiding toward a neutral stance, that could be a (positive) impetus, ... The economy is slowing but not recessing and the Fed will be there if necessary.

I think, ... that Pfizer is going to benefit from their merger with Warner-Lambert. I think that makes a very good deal. But most pharmaceutical companies do eventually strike deals with biotech companies in terms of marketing their product. And the genomic companies don't have a lot of cash. They have a lot of high valuations, but they don't have a lot of dollars to spend. So, they usually look toward the pharmaceutical sector to help them out, which usually helps both sectors.

I think this is the look the market is going to have this month, ... There are valuation concerns, which was brought on by Cisco, the granddaddy of all valuation concerns. Money for now is moving back toward traditional stocks.

I think we're looking at nothing but good news on the earnings front. It will be more critical to see what guidance these companies give us toward the next six months to one year. Today's action is a little too premature to say how the markets will react to earnings.

You have to be careful. There are not many sectors that are doing well out there. This is a slowing economy. People are looking for security of earnings. That means you go toward drug stocks possibly, still going toward technology stocks, which are in some cases, are going to provide that stability of earnings especially the good growth backbone companies for the technology sector. Avoid cyclical stocks, avoid retail stocks. Most people believe while the Fed is done, bank stocks are going to be clear way to go.

You're getting a lot of positive sentiment in the market and a lot of rotational shifting toward growth. It doesn't say that earnings are going to be better but it does lead one to believe that a lot of the bad news may already be built in.

It's a transition market. I think (last week) indicated the willingness to look forward at the upside of the story. There isn't a lone voice expressing positive attitudes toward technology but this week indicated the ability of the market to look forward.

It's big because it's at a very substantial premium and it means something toward the world of further consolidation in brokerage. I think people are going to be scouring to see what could be next.