Pity you don't read the papers, Ken. I wrote: "US looks pretty good today." In fact, the S&P 500 jumped more than 15 points or 0.8 per cent yesterday, and is now less than one per cent below its record high. As for the year, here's Wikipedia:
"US real GDP contracted by 2.1% in the first quarter of 2014, the first decline since 2011. However in the second quarter of 2014, the US GDP grew by 4.2%, reversing the contraction seen in the first quarter and surpassing previous estimates."
Looks like an improvement to me, considering powerful forces beyond US control: the euro zone in a perilous state, China's commodities reaching their limits, its central bank trying to shore up slowing economic growth.
US relatively good shape compared to the rest of the world, Ken.
