Speedier Growth

Retail sales beat the street. They came in almost twice what economists expected.

Gas prices haven’t slowed the consumer down, nor has the overrated (and much exaggerated) housing slump. Some Wall Street economists like Bear Stearns John Ryding are now talking about 3 ½ to 4 percent growth in Q2.

By the way, business sales are picking up steam once again. They’re up nearly 12 percent at an annual rate over the past three months. This suggests that corporate profits will continue to outperform expectations.

Rising bond rates are also telling this stepped up economic growth story. The real (or growth) component of the 10-year Treasury has spiked up in expectation of a speedier economy.

Did someone say the greatest story never told?