Once again, it's predict the Fed's rate decision.

[swag]

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006 at 11:15 AM Pacific Time, the Federal Open Market Committee will announce its latest rate decision.

My bet is that the FOMC will once again hold its short-term rates at 5.25% and that its statement will be close to a repeat of the last statement, reiterating concerns over inflation risks.

[jpgray]

1. You know they just consult the severed oracular head of Ayn Rand

[swag]

3. Would you prefer they embraced the scruffed corpse of Mark Twain?

[jpgray]

10. Bwyoo bwee bwyoo bywee bywoooooooo

[swag]

11. Wait.

I know that's not the Numa Numa Dance.

[jpgray]

12. Just don't tell that "death by numa numa" joke

[Nickster]

2. I concur. The Fed is trying to delay and hoping that everything will just go away.

Just wait til next year when they have to cut rates.

[LSK]

4. they will not change it this time

[HereSince1628]

5. I think we mostly agree, but where is manufacturing in Q1 and Q2?

Anyone care to guess?

[swag]

6. What's your favorite gauge?

ISM?

[HereSince1628]

7. Anyone you want.

[swag]

8. Here's a guess.

I think the ISM national manufacturing index will bounce around (both below and above) the 50 mark (the dividing line between "expansion" and "contraction" according to that survey) for the first couple of quarters as the effects of a slowing domestic economy are tempered by rising exports helped along by the weak dollar.

[HereSince1628]

9. I'm somewhat more bearish I was thinking exports wouldn't help

until later in the year. But basically I agree with the notion of going sideways into the next year.

[bicentennial_baby]

13. Most likely, yes

:thumbsup:

[swag]

14. I am the winner.

I am lucky at cards.