One day people say we are doomed and the next day things are getting better.  I like to consider myself an optimist so I decided to share this article with all of you.  It’s still a little early to even try and speculate how and when things are going to be hunky dory again, but I feel better just knowing we are making progress. Remember, comfort is the enemy of progress.  Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions here on my blog or with me through Facebook and Twitter.

1. Consumer spending. July retail sales rose 0.5 percent, as people spent more on cars, groceries, appliances, electronics, furniture and other products. That’s the biggest jump in four months and follows a larger-than-expected 0.3 percent rise in June. With consumer confidence remaining fragile and households still trying to shed debt, it’s too early to tell if that uptick means spending is turning the corner. But it does suggest that the bottom isn’t about to fall out and bodes well for faster growth in months to come.
2. Industrial output. Production rose 0.9 percent last month, its biggest gain of the year (see chart at bottom). Leading the way — a significant upswing in the auto sector, as higher sales drove manufacturing. Other sectors also strengthened, including business equipment, construction, mining, utilities, and defense and aerospace. Factories aren’t exactly humming, to be sure, but at least the assembly lines are moving.
3. Corporate earnings. Despite the sluggish economy, many big companies in a range of industries are weathering the storm just fine, including Apple (AAPL), Home Depot (HD),McDonald’s (MCD), Staples (SPLS) and Target (TGT). That doesn’t necessarily lead to more jobs — the economy’s biggest weakness — as multinational corporations focus on overseas growth and wring more work out of employees. But beyond reassuring investors, it is reason to think that companies aren’t set to announce massive layoffs and chop spending.

Click here for the full article.