Long-term mortgage rates float just above 5.5%
Economy thirsts for job growth, interest-rate equilibrium
Concerns over insufficient tax revenue appear on political horizon
Inflation rate needs to rise to nearly 2% before economy can gain speed
Global trade, currencies push prices up, rates down
Despite uptick in retail sales, office market still in decline
Despite weak job market, surge in corporate earnings good for stocks
Stocks likely headed for 're-bubble' in 2004