Energy costs and their impact on consumer spending will probably be the story of 2006... once the first big home heating bills hit.
Interestingly, energy prices have been declining, but don't expect that to be reflected in your bills the first of the year. Retailers should expect to see a drop in first quarter sales versus 2005... probably 3-5%... which should be enough to trash the stock market... and hopefully give the Federal Reserve pause in its quest to quash the economy with interest rate increases.
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