No Green Shoots In These Numbers

By Tom Lindmark

After Christmas bargains and cashing in gift cards probably propelled sales in those months. The April results are particularly disappointing since sales were expected to be positively influenced by Easter shopping. The decline in sales isn 't helping ... 5) Rates on 30-year mortgages have dropped to an historic low of 4.8%, and refinancing has surged. "These are all welcome signs, but the process of financial recovery and repair is going to take time," Geithner cautioned. ...

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