Subodh Kumar Economy Quotations

We are seeing a pullback on stocks because many investors are concerned with the outlook for interest rates and with the economy at the start of 2006. The rebound in oil in the past couple of days is also hurting some stocks, especially the ones related to consumer spending, such as retailers.

I think that the objective of the interest rate hikes is to keep the economy in the 3-1/2, maybe 3-3/4 range. So the Fed has been saying all along, give us 12 months from when we start to raise rates and we'll get the trajectory down. And I think that's what they've done.

Usually, the groups under stress bounce the most at a bottom since they would benefit the most when the economy improves,

Sooner or later it will be appropriate for the Fed to pause, regardless of whether or not we get a signal in that direction. There is no reason for them to invert the yield curve. Inflation is contained and the economy is okay. I don't see a reason for them to take the risk of keeping raising rates.

The main focus today is the Fed. After the decision, investors will once again focus on the fundamentals of the U.S. economy and on company earnings.