Some of the recent job gains in construction reflect rebuilding and clean-up efforts following hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

Job growth in the remainder of the country appeared to be below trend in October. It is possible, of course, that employment growth for the nation could have been held down by indirect effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, for example, because of their impact on gas prices.

The banking sector continued to undergo consolidation after their recent gains but the telecom sector is doing quite well following a rebound in European stocks last week.

We've fought hurricanes before. You know, we think we are hurricane-smart and there's some normal things that go on during the aftermath of a serious hurricane, but this is not normal. This is past the normal thing that we normally have dealt with over the years,

Joint ventures and other collaborative arrangements may be helpful in rebuilding after the devastation caused by the hurricanes, and the Antitrust Division (of the Justice Department) is committed to helping to foster the recovery efforts,

We are going to postpone that... we want to bring maximum relief and construction efforts,