While the Fed's rate hike yesterday (Tuesday) may seem to have diminished reaction to today's (Wednesday's) CPI report, it will nonetheless be important.

Consumers have hung in there and done better than people expected, It's really going to be more about businesses.

The speech quietly signaled a 25-basis-point (quarter percentage point) rate hike in February, and was consistent with a further rate increase in March or May.

I would say that the reports we've had on the labor market over the past three months are more than enough to convince us that the recovery in the labor market is truly in place.

Gains have been broad-based, and that's encouraging because the fact that the increases in employment are not dependent on one particular industry suggests that this improvement in job creation is on a sustainable trend.

Greenspan gave the best rationale yet for higher rates -- and it is one that we agree with, ... His speech should ruffle no feathers, which leaves the equity market free to move higher and suggests that bearishness on bonds should not be overdone.

Corporate profits will likely fall, but remain a large portion of GDP.