That’s good

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate dropped by two tenths of a percent in March; 9 of 12 metro areas saw decreases, as did 53 of 72 counties.

But that’s bad:

Wisconsin bankruptcy filings jumped 29.5% in the first quarter of this year: they were 27% higher in 1Q 2008 than in 1Q 2007.

That’s good:

Quarterly Income Rises 36% at Apple

That’s bad:

New home sales plunge to lowest level in 16 1/2 years, prices drop by largest amount in 38 years

That's good:

Amazon’s Earnings Beat Expectations

...The Seattle-based Internet retailer reported that net income in the first quarter rose 30 percent, to $143 million, or 34 cents a share, from the year-ago quarter.

And so is that:

Ford Reports $100M Profit in First Quarter

But this is bad:

Call it the Lasik indicator. As the economic downturn forces consumers to cut back on discretionary spending, laser vision-correction surgeries have been falling — as they did during the last recession.

And this is just odd:

Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, said Wednesday that it would ration the amount of rice each customer can purchase at its Sam's Club warehouse stores because of recent “supply and demand trends.”

Evidence inconclusive. Trend lines not established. Recommend shaking Magic 8-Ball again.