While some sectors of the economy are in recession, retail sales surprised many analysts with better-than-average growth in April.

Among this group is Wal-Mart reporting 3.2 percent growth. The Wal-Mart same store sales grew at 2.6 percent and Sam's Club grew at 6.6 percent.

Although the economy has not fallen into recession, President Bush has proposed an economic stimulus package in order to boost a slowing economy started by the depressed housing market.

The U.S. economy is still showing a solid foundation, according to many economists, based upon low unemployment data, exports, and business investment. U.S. stock markets seem to disagree as evidenced by dropping market indexes.