Econ Growth To a crawl, prices are up - so; is this why Wall St is so happy?

[EV_Ares]

Growth rate down in first quarter; prices up

MEASURING THE ECONOMY

By Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON — Economic growth slowed to a near crawl at a 1.3% annual rate in the first three months of 2007, the worst performance in four years. The main culprit: the housing slump.
The fresh reading on gross domestic product, released by the Commerce Department on Friday, was even weaker than the 2.5% annual growth rate logged in the final three months of last year. The new figures underscored just how much momentum the economy has been losing as it copes with the strain of the troubled housing market, which has made some businesses more cautious in their spending.


LOW DOLLAR: Euro hits record against greenback

The first-quarter GDP figure was the weakest since a 1.2% annual pace registered in the opening quarter of 2003. GDP measures the value of all goods and services produced within the United States and is considered the best barometer of the country's economic fitness.

A price gauge favored by the Federal Reserve — personal consumption expenditures excluding food and energy items — increased at a 2.2% annual rate in the first quarter, slightly ahead of forecasts for a 2.1% advance. That was up substantially from the fourth quarter's 1.8% annual rate and is likely to keep Fed policymakers wary about the potential for a pickup in inflation.


http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2007-04-27-gdp_N.htm

[Nitrogenica]

1. Invvestments in Pharma, Big Oil, and Defense Contractors are booming.

[orpupilofnature57]

2. Exxon!!!

[papau]

3. Corp's found they could squeeze US workers and unions do not form - profits are unlimited now n/t

n/t

[Manifestor_of_Light]

4. But if they fire us all, we won't be able to buy their cheap crap from China. n/t