For every bit of good economic news (like worker productivity increases or increases in factory orders), there are equally bad offsetting ones. Today's:

• Retail spending is down, sparking fears that consumer spending may be weakening (and consumer spending has propped up the weak economy);

• Jobless claims rose unexpectedly, with a seasonally adjusted 430,000 new jobless claims in the week ending March 1. Anything above 400,000 is considered a sign of a weak labor market.

• Car sales are way down, despite strong car-maker incentives. Auto manufacturers appear to have decided to lower production rather than keep increasing incentives.