From the Fed's meeting minutes just released today:
"persistently low energy prices... could damp the overall
expansion of economic activity for a period, especially if the slowing
took place after most of the positive effects of lower energy prices on
growth in household spending had occurred."
Need I say more?
Crude oil didn't move much, but the news that this might "dampen" the economy cause stocks to decline moderately, and treasuries screamed higher as interest rates collapsed! This sounds like an excuse for the Fed to continue to suppress interest rates! If the economy is really doing so well, then why do they see low interest rates as necessary in perpetuity? A sound economy wouldn't need life support!