Many economic indicators seem to point in that direction.
Consumer confidence is at its lowest point in a decade, retail sales continue to sag, fuel prices remain high, and the Federal Reserve has stepped forward to slash short-term interest rates. Economists, who once predicted low to moderate growth in 2001, are now marking down forecasts and saying the risks of a full-blown recession are growing daily. That depends on who you talk to. The White House agrees. While some firm leaders are preparing for a possible slowdown by ramping up marketing and looking at new markets for their services, most remain optimistic that their businesses won't be derailed.