Econowatch mixed signals raise spectre of a double-dip recession.Econowatch mixed signals raise spectre of a double-dip recession double-dip recession An extended decline in economic activity following an aborted recovery from a previous recession. A relatively weak economic recovery sometimes causes investors to worry about the economy entering another recession. Econowatch registered mixed signals last week, continuing to reflect a stalled stall 1 n. 1. A compartment for one domestic animal in a barn or shed. 2. a. A booth, cubicle, or stand used by a vendor, as at a market. b. local economy that seems to be neither growing nor shrinking. A negative note was sounded by Pacific Bell's index of small-business phone subscribers, which fell to 102.9 in April, off 0.5 percent from March, although still up 5.3 percent from April a year ago. Pacific Bell keeps track of the number of businesses in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County with six or less lines -- a pretty good definition of a small, or start-up, businesses. April's dip was the first decline in the series since last March, when it also edged down a bit. In better news, total building permits or the county rose in May to $6.14 billion, up 20.8 percent from April, but off 30.2 percent from May a year ago. This indicator has apparently picked itself off a floor of about $4.20 billion a month, reached in early 1991, but is a long way from the hey-days in 1989 and 1990, when as much as $10.7 billion worth of building permits would be issued in a good month. Natural gas consumption by commercial users in the Southland south·land or South·land n. A region in the south of a country or an area. south  land·er n.Noun 1. fell in June, off 8.2 percent from May, and off 22.4 percent from June a year ago. The gas consumption figures, however, tend to vacillate from month to month, and should not be read to literally as a reflection of business activity, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a Southern California Gas This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. Co. spokesman. Last week local economist Michael Bazdarich, of La Canada-based MB Economics, warned that a "double-dip" recession may befall be·fall v. be·fell , be·fall·en , be·fall·ing, be·falls v.intr. To come to pass; happen. v.tr. To happen to. See Synonyms at happen. the nation and the Southland, due in part to sluggish retail sales. "The sharp decline in June retail sales was a major piece of news. It tends to confirm suspicions that the economy's current bounce is likely to be short-lived," said Bazdarich, in a report issued July 15. Econowatch, a weekly compilation of Southland economic and business statistics, is published by the Business Journal to keep tabs on local economic trends. |
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