Doesn't look like a recession: strong retail sales

Today, Wal-Mart Stores reported a 3.9% increase and Sam's Club a 3.6% increase in same-store sales. This surprised even Wal-Mart as they had forecast only a 2% gain. High gas prices seem to have pushed people into more bargain stores as their results have been better than department stores.

Despite big media's best efforts to portray the country as either being in - or just about in - a recession, more and more evidence has come out suggesting moderate economic strength.