Wednesday, April 04, 2007

IN DENIAL

It seems to becoming clear that the economy is slip slidin away. Factory orders, just released were soft, up 1% when a 2.5% bounce was expected. The non-manufacturing ISM came in at 52.4 much lower than the 55.5 expected, mortgage applications were lower again. Yesterday we heard the big three had what can only be described as lousy auto sales. Overall sales are slowing as well. I'll be financing is getting harder to find. The day before, manufacturing ISM came in at 50.9, lower than expected and below last months reading. we've got $64 oil which translates into gas at 2.70 a gallon nationwide.Earlier this week we had an earnings warning from a bank that the sub=prime is spreading into alt-A mortgage sector. Through a tightening of credit standards, availability is being reduced. The S&P is only about 2% off its high. Either we are going to see some better numbers soon or one of them will be the straw that breaks the camels back and down we go again. HAPPY EASTER