Lately I’ve been pointing out that the economy has been even weaker over the past six months than the weak GDP numbers suggest because of the support given the numbers by inventory accumulation. For example, the 3 percent growth in real GDP in the 4th quarter last year was almost two thirds inventory accumulation. Real final sales—GDP minus the change in inventories—grew only 1.1 percent in the 4th quarter. The first estimate of the 1st quarter real GDP growth, at 2.2 percent, appeared to … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards