Submitted by reader Sean Nolen

“Panera Bread Co., the chain of 1,250 bakery-cafes, plans to take advantage of its debt-free balance sheet and the U.S. real estate slump to open as many as two locations a week in 2009, said Chief Executive Ronald Shaich.”

Read the full story here:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/developmenteconomy/story/53728525613A661C8625753F0016CFBC?OpenDocument

PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

I will be on a much needed vacation next week contributing to Jamaica’s economy by consuming their most spirited export, Appleton Estate Rum…  I will post any contributions for the week when I return on Feb. 2.  For one week I will not turn on a tv, open a newspaper, fire up a computer, or use my telephone… It is truly a week of bliss.  Have a positive week to all the readers here.

Barry

At least one major corporation in America is looking towards positive results that are even better than expected for 2009…and their Q4 profits beat street expectations… Nice to see DJIA companies making it in these times of peril and doom.

http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSTRE50J7HQ20090121?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews

Submtted by Mitch Mitchell a regular reader

As has been reported in the past, and this article supports, many economists expect the later parts of 2009 to represent a rebound for our economy.  This article speaks to the type of rebound we will have.  A “V” shaped represents a recession that falls quickly, but rebounds equally strong.  This generally comes from pent up consumer demand for products that they have delayed, and inventories that are being reduced and/or liquidated.  Once a recovery is imminent, manufacturers  will be scurrying to quickly replace the inventories they’ve sold off to reduce costs.  Conversely a “U” shaped recovery represents a recession that hangs on longer, and rebounds more slowly.  Either way…a rebound is imminent, and what we need to keep in mind.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/12/news/economy/strong_recovery/index.htm

In his final address to the Nation, President Bush along with his administration took credit for the steps put into place that are giving our economy foothold to get back on the road to recovery.  “The American economy has consistently proven its strength and resilience” Bush wrote in his final economic report to the nation. Seems the President is a visitor to this website.

In his address the President the President referred to the White House Council of Economic Advisers who expect a recovery to begin early in the next term Obama’s administration.  And advisory panel to the President also affirmed that most market forecasts predict a recovery in the second half of 2009 with momentum gaining in 2010.

Read the full story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hMjwXTKQITDVW0GgqNvJGAjd56igD95OCIR03

Consumer Prices Fall For Third Month In December – For the third month in a row consumer prices declined for the slowest increase of prices in 50 years. The CPI (consumer price index) fell .7% in December. Excluding energy and food, which have the greatest impact on the number, the CPI was nearly flat.  So I’m assuming that the continued drop in gas contributed to the decline.  While this does not mean we’re out of the woods, it does bode well for those with money to spend.  Greater purchasing power can often spur additional consumption, particularly if the expected stimulus plan goes into effect in the first quarter.

Thanks to Julie, a regular reader and contributor to Positive Economic News.

Fedex has comitted to doubling it’s order for the 777 from 15 to 30 planes, in a move that will pump over 2.7 billion dollars into Boeing over the next 10 years.

The move was part of a deal that delays some of the deliveries until the economy improves, but nonetheless is a firm commitment to the belief that our economy indeed will turn the corner.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/12/fedex-doubles-order-big-boeing-777-freighters/

Hearty Thanks to Phil Tyler a contributing reader for this submission!

Could it be?  Is mainstream media reporting positive occurrences in our markets?

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/credit-markets-begin-thaw/

Thanks to contributing reader Sam Snyder for this addition.

This is what a column of two economic professors is predicting.  They forcasted the recession as far back as June 08, and are suggesting that the factors they use are indicating a rebound beginning mid-year.  Read the full story here:

http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/2785

In a survey by Microsoft Office Live Small Business, 60% of small business owners expenct 09 to be better than 08.  The majority of them plan to spend as much or more on marketing this year, and nearly a third plan to expand staffing levels this year.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1623040/survey_reveals_entrepreneurial_spirit_still_alive_despite_economic_downturn/

This is indicative of the postive spirit held by entrpreneurs, and demonstrates the success that “David” can have over “Goliath.”  Smaller, leaner, swifter companies can move quicker in markets to provide products/services to clients and gain market share, while the big boys are figuring out who gets laid off and what effect that will have on customer service.

Yet another index from a 30 year old market research firm shows it held steady in December. The index held pretty much held steady, falling only 1 point to 87 for the final month of 08.

Here are the three-month averages for regions in the US:

Census Division       Index*
New England             88
Middle Atlantic         86
East North Central      87
West North Central      90
South Atlantic          86
East South Central      85
West South Central      93
Mountain                90
Pacific                 87

And how the rest of the globe is fairing:

Country               Index
United States           87
Australia               87
Brazil                 111
Canada                  90
China                  108
France                  78
Germany                100
India                  105
Italy                   91
Spain                   85
United Kingdom          85

This historically signals a rebound and leads them to predict a recovery in the second half of 2009.  The article by Marketwire even recognizes this achivement as even more remarkable in the wake of the media’s constant barrage of bad economic news.  Yet another piece of positive economic news you won’t see tonight on any major network.

Read the full story here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28542346/