A trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange stands next to a monitor that reflects the direction of the market, August 6, 2004. The future looks increasingly dim for U.S. economic growth as high oil prices, spotty consumer demand and fears of attacks prevent companies from hiring new workers, analysts said on Friday. Worsening the economic picture, oil prices have soared to record highs over the past few days, casting doubt on another proposition from the Fed, that energy costs would slowly come down as the year progressed. REUTERS/Henny Ray Abrams HRA/GN