Here is the article in the the Financial Times but what interests me is in the artivle the make remarks on what is being observed, "in the early stages of recovery".

"...In contrast, retailers such as Whole Foods Market, the upmarket grocer, and Starbucks reported evidence of increased readiness to spend during the fourth quarter, suggesting that different consumer segments are responding differently in the early stages of recovery..."

Do you think we are in the early stages of recovery or still suffering losses?

This is more like the recovery your grandparents didn't really want to talk about.

@Orlando--lolololololololololol

I love it when I am funny without knowing it. It sure beats the opposite, which is thinking I am hilarious and getting looks like this from people.

i think it's going to waffle back and forth for a while. people are hot to call "recovery" or "decline" but it doesn't appear stable and/or consistently and reliably heading in a specific direction yet to me.

Actually it just makes me wonder if a lot of people, like myself, are trying to support businesses that sell local produce & products.  Which I don't think Wal-marts do at all.

So, the decline in 4th quarter sales for Wal-Mart is an indicator of our economic state??  There is so much wrong with that company's ethics, maybe "karma" is coming back to kick WM in the butt (Sam Walton spins in his grave so much he probably sounds like a drill....).

Those in the financial sector would probably like to think early economic recovery, but for ordinary folks like us, it ain't happenin'.  People I know are still worried about paying for food, heating their homes, healthcare (don't get me started!), etc.,  just as much now as last year...

Let's hope for a turn around in the economy, but don't hold your breath...

Hahaha... Orlando's grandparents won't talk about it, goddess thinks the economy is just "experimenting", etc.  The extended metaphor is killing me!

As for the economy--I think we're starting to recover.

scorp, that's funny.

Scorp- Inflation is sagging too

It's sagging?

Great.  The thing that irks me most is that in a year or two, I'm gonna have to pay for the economy's recent "life choices"

My ad-hoc observation is that the economy is starting to fully bottom out. I've always felt that my money neurosis make me a terrific bellwether for how things are doing, and I've gone from a bit of premature exuberance to greater belt-tightening. Could this be my planetless 2nd house in Capricorn and Leo/Jupiter dominated 8th showing some sway?

Welcome catfishmass

man, no one can even think about how bad our province's economy is going to blow up until the numbers start rolling in after the olympics. it costs sooooo much money it's unbelievable

The economy always bounces back a bit in February.  Anyone who was going to do any hiring starts mid February.  It's been my experience if I become jobless in the fall I'll stay jobless all winter until February, after taxes are filed.

 I think this is indicative of what happens every year.  I'm waiting until April to see if it sticks. My 401K took more of a beating than after 9/11.  It rallied a bit in December but January I lost money again.  Of course, on a day to day basis I'm really feeling the squeeze, especially with propane. 

Thanks for the welcome! I've been lurking for a looong time, figured I'd join in the fracas.