Mixed economic news:

GDP Rose 4.4% In 2004.
The Wall Street Journal (1/31, Dunham) reports that the Commerce Department reported Friday that real gross domestic product rose 4.4% last year, its fastest pace in five years.

Poor January Stock Performance Seen As An Ominous Sign.
USA Today (1/31, Shell) reports that in an “ominous sign,” stocks “slid into negative territory the first trading day of 2005 and have been in the red ever since. … While there are still 11 months left in 2005 to turn those losses into profits, history shows that a negative performance in January is difficult to overcome.”