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Regional Sales Breakdown
During December, month-to-month sales slowed in the West by 7.18% and by 4.24% in the South, but were up by 1.35% in the Northeast and 1.44% in the Midwest.
In all regions, sales were up over the same time period a year ago.
Stable Rates
It seems like interest rates have been stable forever. At least since August.
What's Up?
The GDP (Growth Domestic 
Product) had the best annual showing since 1999, but things slowed down a tad in the fourth quarter.
The DOW started 2004 at 10,551. A year and a month later, it is basically the same. If stock investors aren't that enthused, bond investors aren't going to go crazy, either. Bond investors are who affect interest rates.
European growth was only about 2 % last year.
China expects its per capita income to triple over the next 15 years. That sounds like a lot, right? Well, if their per capita income triples in fifteen years, that means your average Chinese citizen will make about $3000 per year in 2020.
In short, USA and world economic growth appears to be under control enough that no one fears inflation.
