> >doug was right to suggest the possibility of a narrowing of the >spread since october. spread has narrowed a couple or so percentage >points (something like from almost to 7 to about 5 % points), as >reported today in either nyt or wsj which was quoting from >bloomberg's index. lots of interesting information today on >inadequacy of rate cuts and even fiscal stimulus to reignite >investment with so much excess capacity; real weakness in the >commodity markets; and on the front page of the wsj today a very >good story on continuing problems of consumer debt about which >Robert Manning may want to comment. > >rb
oh yes there is a wsj story on the free trade act with africa, which does mention that high end sweaters were excluded from duty free access but does not even mention stipulation that American made materials be used and the very liberal (if i remember correctly, and i may not) import surge clauses in the act. rb
