The US recession “is very likely over”, Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman, said yesterday as data showed retail sales rose last month at the fastest rate in more than three years.
Sales rose 2.7 per cent, with the expected boost from the popular “cash for clunkers” car rebate programme accompanied by a surprise pick-up in other spending.
This raised hopes that US consumers might be re-emerging from the rubble of the housing market collapse, the roller-coaster ride in equities markets and rising unemployment.
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