Name:   lucky67 - Subject:   economy--again & again !!! Date:   4/14/2015 5:06:13 PM

If this is it, please let me know.
If this ain't love, you gotta let me go.
- Huey Lewis & The News

The U.S. economy hit the brakes at the start of 2015 by almost every measure. On Tuesday, the Commerce Departerment reported retail sales rose 0.9% in March, the first gain in fourth months but less than the consenus estimate for a gain of 1.1%. Retail sales excluding autos were also weaker-than-expected.

In the face of all the dismal data, estimates for first-quarter GDP growth have fallen precipitously: the Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model is now forecasting zero growth in Q1, down from 2.3% in mid-February.