March 24 (Bloomberg) -- Barry Knapp, U.S. equity strategist at Barclays Capital, talks with Bloomberg's Erik Schatzker about the outlook for U.S. manufacturers after an unexpected rise in orders for U.S. durable goods orders in February. http://www.bloomberg.com/avp/avp.ht...//media2.bloomberg.com/cache/vj_AhKvdq1t8.asf Pianalto Says `Severe Recession' Likely to End This Year March 25 (Bloomberg) http://www.bloomberg.com/avp/avp.htm?clipSRC=mms://media2.bloomberg.com/cache/vpOJ7L0C7otU.asf
March 25 (Bloomberg) -- The collapse in U.S. inventories indicates the economy is laying the foundation for a return to growth this year. Stockpiles of long-lasting factory goods declined 0.9 percent in February after falling 1.1 percent in January, the biggest two-month slide since 2003, the Commerce Department reported today in Washington. The decrease brought the ratio of inventories to sales down for the first time in seven months. âThere is hope,â Stephen Stanley, chief economist at RBS Greenwich Capital in Greenwich, Connecticut, said in a note to clients. âThis is exactly the progression that needs to happen, so todayâs data represents an important step on the road to recovery.â The report bolstered forecasts that the worldâs largest economy will begin to expand in the second half of the year after a likely contraction in the first six months of 2009. Retail sales, residential construction and home sales last month have all been stronger than most economists projected. ,,,, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aMrRExtsYZDc&refer=home