CNN Marketplace 2006-01-14

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Michelle Wright: Retail 1 sales rose a smaller than expected 0.7% in December and according to Fact and Opinion Economics Chief Economist 2 Robert Brusca, "Things are in place for a slow down in consumer spending."

Robert Brusca: It looks like the Fed is gonna play a role cautious and continue to raise rate and so the homeowner is gonna get stuck between rising interest rates and higher energy costs. And that something else is gonna pinch the consumer, hurt the consumer, hurt retail sales as we move into 2006 or move farther.

Michelle Wright: For all of 2005, retail sales grew 7.3%, just beneath the 7.6% gain in 2004.

General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner says turning around the auto 3 makers 4 North American operations remains 5 the company's top priority. Wagoner didn't give any outlook on 2006 earnings 6.

Apple Computers is looking to patent a new word.

"For the word "vingle", not entirely 7 sure what they mean it to be, but all the speculation 8 is that it's a combination of video and single, ur, and that, you know, in years to come, we might be talking about, 'oh, I just downloaded the latest vingle.'"

CNN, Z.V.

Michelle Wright: The Department of Justice is suing American Airlines , claiming the carrier illegally denied benefits to pilots while they were serving in National Guard and Reserve units. Official said it was the first time a class action case has been brought charging an employer in violation 9 with the 1994 law designed to protect employees who do leave their jobs temporarily to serve in military units.

If you purchase some of your Christmas lights, said Target this year, you may need to take them back because they could be part of a huge recall.

Party Davis: "There are 50-count multi-color light set, the 100-count blue light set and the chasing light set and they sold for between a dollar 50 and 10 dollars."

Party Davis is the spokesperson for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

And Southwest Airline is rebuilding its service to New Orleans, says spokesmen Ed Steward 10.

Ed Steward: We are going to increase our service in New Orleans with the additional five new flights from New Orleans to Dallas, to Houston and Orlando.

Michelle Wright: The airline once operated more than 50 flights to date to and from New Orleans but sharply cut service after Hurricane Katrina.

With CNN Radio Marketplace, I'm Michelle Wright.

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