Economic Rebound Around Corner?

The dark days of the depression aren't over yet, although there are signs that a renewal is coming. The Associated Press reports that claims for unemployment benefits fell "by 24,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 601,000," below analysts' estimates that 615,000 people would file for benefits. Although department stores didn't do great business in May, a rise in demand at auto dealerships and gas stations helped balance things out, leading to an overall sales increase of .5 percent, the first increase in three months, and the largest increase since January. It's a start.