Fourth Quarter Economic and Interest Rate Update & Outlook Terry Sandven Christian Heitzman

1. Fourth Quarter Economic and Interest Rate Update & Outlook Terry Sandven Christian Heitzman October 2007 Date:Tuesday, October 2, 2007 Time:3:00 p.m. CT 1:00 p.m. PT Dial-in information:Conference call number: 888 369-9065 Conference ID: 17864716

2. Market Insights & Perspectives

3. Fourth Quarter Update & Outlook • Recap of Mid-Year Outlook • Pro-growth thesis remains intact. • Economic expansion will continue, albeit at a slower rate. • Evidence of some global inflation. • Fed may not move in 2007; should sub-prime deterioration continue, next move is likely to cut; Fed is not under any immediate pressure to change its stance. • Bonds and stocks will likely trend within a relatively narrow trading range, with an upward bias. • Biased toward a pro-growth economy, driven largely by favorable employment conditions • Equities are likely to outperform bonds in the second half of 2007.

4. Fourth Quarter Update & Outlook • Fourth Quarter Outlook • Overall economic expansion is likely to continue, albeit at a slower rate. • Risk of a recession has increased. • Fundamental indicators suggest inflation appears generally contained. • U.S. Treasury yield curve suggests future inflation may be an issue. • Employment and company earnings are key. • Bonds are likely to trade sideways into the new year, caught between conflicting signals of a recession and potential inflation. • Equity markets should grind higher, led by favorable employment conditions and company earnings. • Increased volatility, at a minimum, is likely to be the norm versus the exception.

5. Market Insights & Perspectives • Overview • Interest Rates • Housing • Inflation • Employment • Earnings

6. Interest Rates • The Fed Effect • Question: Did the Fed overreact? • September 18 FOMC meeting • Fed funds; 5.25% to 4.75% • Discount rate: 5.75% to 5.25% • Statement: “…the tightening of credit conditions has the potential to intensify the housing correction and to restrain economic growth more generally.” “The Committee judges that some inflation risks remain.” “Developments in financial markets…have increased the uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook." • Upcoming FOMC meetings • October 30-31; December 11

7. Interest Rates • U.S. Treasury Yield Curve • Yield curve has steepened since the 9/18/97 Fed rate cuts.

8. Interest Rates • LIBOR • The LIBOR rate has recently trended lower, providing some relief for adjustable rate mortgage rate holders.

9. Interest Rates • U.S. Dollar—Near 20-Year Lows • In theory, lower dollar implies increased exports.

10. Housing • Pending Home Sales of Existing Homes • August sales fell 6,5% over July levels and 21.5% over year-ago levels. • Pending homes sales are a leading indicator because it tracks contract signings.

11. Housing • Existing Home Sales • Existing homes sales continue to trend downward. • Sales of previously owned U.S. homes fell in August to a five-year low, declining 13% over year ago levels to an annual rate of 5.5 million.

12. Housing • New Home Sales • New home sales continue to trend downward.

13. Housing • Housing Starts • Housing starts continue to trend downward. • August housing starts declined 2.6% to 1.331 million, a 12-year low; August permits declined 5.9%.

14. Housing • Home Inventories • Inventories continue to increase.

15. Housing • Delinquencies • Delinquencies continue to increase and remain a predominant concern.

16. Housing • Home Builders & Mortgage-Related Companies (9/25/07) D.R. Horton Toll Brothers Countrywide Financial Wells Fargo Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc.

17. Housing • Conclusions • Too early to conclude that housing has bottomed; the housing environment remains challenging. • Distinction between “weak” versus “collapse.” • Valuations have improved. • Visibility remains unclear. • Predominant view and evidence suggests potential for further weakness. • Implications and impact on consumer spending remain of concern.

18. Inflation • Producer Price Index (PPI) • August headline PPI declined 1.4% with core PPI increasing 0.2%; both year-over-year headline and core PPI increased 2.4%.

19. Inflation • Consumer Price Index (CPI) • On an annual basis, headline and core CPI increased 2.0% and 2.1%, respectively, in August. • Trend lines suggest overall inflation remains generally contained.

20. Inflation • PCE • Recent data suggests inflation has slowed. • The headline and core personal consumption expenditures—Fed favorites—are at benign levels at the upper end of the Fed’s targeted 1.0% and 2.0% range.

21. Inflation • Institute of Supply Management • Both the ISM manufacturing and non-manufacturing indices are above 50, reflecting economic expansion; much of the strength is attributed to overseas growth.

22. Inflation • CRB Commodity Index • Basket of 22 commodities—textiles, metals, grains, livestock, etc. • Index has pulled back; appears to have stabilized.

23. Inflation • Energy • Oil remains a wildcard; crude is near record levels.

24. Inflation • Energy/Consumer • Declining energy prices in the second half of 2006 greatly contributed to favorable holiday sales.

25. Inflation • Energy Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2007; reflects percentage of total world oil consumption.

26. Inflation • China • Population • Infrastructure • World stage • World Olympics (2008) • World 2010 Expo • Oil—auto ownership • China: 3% • World average: 13% • U.S.: 75%

27. Employment • U.S. Employment • Employment is key to economic expansion. • August worst-than-expected employment report (loss of 4000 jobs) arguably set the stage for the Fed rate cut on September 18. • Presents anecdotal evidence that risks of a recession have increased.

28. Employment • U.S. Employment • Jobless claims decreased to 298,000 for the week ending September 22. • Jobless claims in the 375,000 range are widely believed to be where claims become of increased concern. • Jobless claims, in theory, need to increase to have a recession.

29. Earnings & Valuation • S&P 500 Earnings Projections • S&P 500 earnings growth is modest in 2007 and 2008 over 2006 levels. • Valuations are reasonable.

30. Earnings & Valuation • S&P 500 Valuation Levels—50-Year Trend Line

31. Catalysts/Opportunities

32. Catalysts/Opportunities • Seasonality

33. Market Insights & Perspectives • Conclusions • Overall economic expansion is likely to continue, albeit at a slower rate. • Risk of a recession has increased. • Fundamental indicators suggest inflation appears generally contained. • U.S. Treasury yield curve suggests future inflation may be an issue. • Employment and company earnings are key. • Bonds are likely to trade sideways into the new year, caught between conflicting signals of a recession and potential inflation. • Equity markets should grind higher, led by favorable employment conditions and company earnings. • Increased volatility, at a minimum, is likely to be the norm versus the exception.

34. Interest Rate Takeaways • Market is consolidating with no distinct direction • Many calls are now being exercised by issuers – activity could increase • Market participants are seeing value at these levels • Extend duration at these levels with bullet agencies or treasuries

35. Credit Takeaways • Credit spreads widening, but still tight historically • The mortgage market will continue to be the driver of this market • Uncertain economic direction should lead to greater risk premiums • Stay in higher rated investment grade credits

36. Muni Takeaways • Munis look attractive as a percent of treasuries • Default rates remain extremely low • Number of market participants continues to expand

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