Subject: arched

From: "Connor Weiss" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 13:37:02 -0700

This followed an equally lackluster performance in the prior month.
"The more houses that are foreclosed because of defaults, the more it perpetuates excess supply in the housing market and depresses the wealth of all consumers," Gault said.
So that's two consecutive months of stagnating sales. According to the Commerce Department, retail sales rose an anemic 0.
But while the weather played a part, it wasn't the whole story, said Ian Shepherdson, chief economist with High Frequency Economics.
" Having said that, Gault and others are quick to note retail sales are unlikely to fall off the table anytime soon. Moreover, he fears the widening scope of the fallout. Furniture sales declined 1.
Furniture sales declined 1.
Penney (Charts), Gap (Charts) and other chains reported disappointing sales at stores open at least a year, a key measure of retail performance known as same-store sales.
This had a modest impact on sales in other sectors," he wrote in a note emailed to CNNMoney.
Nigel Gault, economist with Global Insight, estimated that subprime loans account for 13 percent of total mortgages. 6 percent sales increase and sales at gas stations rose 1.
Gault said the knock-on effect from foreclosures could further erode consumers' access to disposable income. Nigel Gault, economist with Global Insight, estimated that subprime loans account for 13 percent of total mortgages.
Sluggish sales in January and February suggest the housing downturn could keep a lid on spending.
"There's going to be a credit-crunch issue," Gault said.
According to the Commerce Department, retail sales rose an anemic 0.
"There's going to be a credit-crunch issue," Gault said. As a result, he estimates that first-quarter GDP growth is more likely to come in at less than 2. As a result, he estimates that first-quarter GDP growth is more likely to come in at less than 2.
8 percent and department stores reported a sales decline of 1.
Investors noticed as well, driving retail stocks - and the broader market - sharply lower. 7 percent last month, clothing sales fell 1. This followed an equally lackluster performance in the prior month.
Among the few bright spots, motor vehicle sales rose 0.
These borrowers also represents the core shoppers at large discount stores like Wal-Mart (Charts) and Target (Charts).
These borrowers also represents the core shoppers at large discount stores like Wal-Mart (Charts) and Target (Charts). Elsewhere, sporting goods sales dropped  0.
Morici's also keeping an eye on rising gas prices. University of Maryland professor Peter Morici said the sluggish growth indicates that the economy remained sluggish in February. And the housing crunch helped drive sales of building material 1.
Sluggish sales in January and February suggest the housing downturn could keep a lid on spending. 4 percent lower last month.
9 percent; food and beverage sellers reported a 0. "In February, the average retail price of gasoline was up 5 cents, or 1.
9 percent; food and beverage sellers reported a 0.