ARE WE THERE YET ?

Economists are debating whether the recovery currently underway is 'V' shaped, or 'U' shaped, or 'L' shaped or 'W' shaped.

I decided to set aside this alphabet soup, and just look for any 'real' signs of a sustainable economic recovery.
It's great to be optimistic, but it sometimes pays better to be realistic! Being too early (even you are right in the end) can sometimes prove to be a costly mistake.

I looked for 'green shoots' in Shipping, the Auto industry, Sports sponsorship, Chinese electricity consumption and US commercial real estate. Haven't found any yet!!!

Here are some links:
Nautical squatters to be a common sight soon
Shippers Taking It Slow in Bad Times - WSJ.com
Power consumption down 4% in first quarter -- china.org.cn
Companies drop sports sponsorships - UPI.com
UNSOLD CARS AROUND THE WORLD
UPDATED: ON THE BRINK: 15 Real Estate Firms Going, Going ...
Rats Feed Off UK Recession as Trash Mounts, Buildings Empty

I am currently working on an 'Are we there yet? : Part 2' post.
Should put it up by Monday.