Business Notes Economy

The economic recession is over. Now get ready for -- another recession? That's a real possibility, say economists. The government reported last week that the economy grew at a barely measurable 0.4% annualized rate in the second quarter. But it may be premature to celebrate the arrival of good times again. "Usually we shoot right out of an economic hole," says economist Allen Sinai. "This time we're crawling out."

Business activity remains so sluggish that the jobless rate is expected to continue to rise for the rest of the year. Some experts even warn that the economy, burdened by high debts and a weak banking system, could fall again unless the Federal Reserve moves quickly to lower interest rates. Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has kept rates firm to control inflation. But with the threat of a "double-dip recession" hovering over the economy, Greenspan may feel new pressure from the Administration to relax his monetary grip as the 1992 presidential election draws near.

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Unemployment