Recovery on track to strengthen at end of 2009

[NewLIfeArea]

WASHINGTON — The economy started the year in free-fall but is on track to end 2009 on stronger footing.

After a record four straight quarters of declines, the economy returned to growth in the July-to-September period. The government is expected to estimate the economy expanded at a 2.8 percent pace in the third quarter when it releases its final projection of last quarter's growth on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. EST.

And many analysts think the economy appears headed for an even better finish in the current quarter.

The economy is probably growing at nearly 4 percent in the October-to-December quarter, analysts say. If they're right, that would mark the strongest showing since 5.4 percent growth in the first quarter of 2006 – well before the recession began. The government will release its first estimate of fourth-quarter economic activity on Jan. 29.

more....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20091222/us-economy/#

[WT Fuheck]

1. amazing what happens when you write tens of trillions of dollars worth of checks

to Wall Street!

Yippee!

[Clio the Leo]

2. All I know is the holiday traffic is out of control....

.... put the GOP back in the White House so folks are brok(er) again and it doesn't take me twice as long to get home from work.

(heh)

[HughMoran]

3. Half an hour wait to get a salesperson at BestBuy, only to find 40% of laptops sold out

I'll tell you one thing - businesses are losing business because they didn't plan well for the pent-up demand.

[Imagevision]

4. Then why are there still more foreclosures now then a year ago???

[girl gone mad]

7. Prime delinquincies up 20%

Subprime up by ~50%
Commercial real estate down 36%.
tarp deadbeat list soaring.
Small business sentiment as low as it's ever been.

But, hey, someone here had to wait in line at Best Buy, so everything must be all better now. Put on your happy helmet! :)

[Aramchek]

5. some folks hate is so strong that they unrec Economic Improvement

[impik]

6. Just like the president told the GOP: You're cheering against the recovery

There's no difference between teabaggers from the Right and the Left.

[girl gone mad]

8. The article actually wasn't very positive.

Says the economy is being held up almost entirely by government spending and growth is set to slow dramatically in 2010. What's more, forecast for employment is still very pessimistic. Some possible good signs for employment over the next few months, as temporary hires are up. We will have to see if that will lead to growth in long term employment. This report says employers are not prepared to offer temporary workers permanent positions.

Don't listen to those who say "employment is always a lagging indicator." Historically, temporary employment actually has been a leading indicator. This time may or may not be different. I can talk about some of the reasons why, if you care.

[janx]

9. This is very telling:

"The economy is probably growing at nearly 4 percent in the October-to-December quarter, analysts say. A few peg it closer to 5 percent. If they're right, that would mark the strongest showing since 5.4 percent growth in the first quarter of 2006 – well before the recession began."

I hope they're right.