Economics
U.S.: Slowly But Surely, The Economy Is Cooling
Still, labor markets are probably tighter than the Fed wants
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If you've been spending the better part of a Saturday morning waiting in a checkout line or searching for an elusive set of Powerpuff Girls bedsheets, you may wonder where the economic slowdown is. After all, if consumer demand is easing up, why can't you find a parking space at your local mall?
Although this holiday shopping season is shaping up to be at least moderately successful, make no mistake about it: The latest government data show the U.S. economy is cooling. Retail sales fell in November thanks to weak car sales, and companies continue to issue profit warnings for the fourth quarter and beyond because of slower revenue growth.