Lakshman Achuthan

The continued weakness in a number of components of the index suggests that it's more than just high oil prices read more

The continued weakness in a number of components of the index suggests that it's more than just high oil prices that are ailing the economy.

It's the 'Red Queen effect' -- you've got to run twice as fast just to stay in place.

It's the 'Red Queen effect' -- you've got to run twice as fast just to stay in place.

The Fed's painfully aware of this, and that's one of the better reasons they try to telegraph what they're doing, read more

The Fed's painfully aware of this, and that's one of the better reasons they try to telegraph what they're doing, so people don't get caught. The institutions that have taken decisions that might put them into harm's way are probably fewer.

One of the things recessions do is uncover weak links. When you're in a strong economy, a bull market, you read more

One of the things recessions do is uncover weak links. When you're in a strong economy, a bull market, you can paper over a lot of things. When you get under some strain, these things show up.

There's been a very real structural shift, primarily in manufacturing employment, as a result of outsourcing and earlier capital investment read more

There's been a very real structural shift, primarily in manufacturing employment, as a result of outsourcing and earlier capital investment that has increased productivity. They're making employment act differently in this upturn.