Reuters catching on, instead of 'unexpected' bad numbers they call them 'surprise.' GDP plummets to 1.8, dollar to 3 year low

.
Reuters heart on sleeve about 'expectations'.... latest numbers "could

• cast a shadow

• on expectations"...
  

4/28/11, "Economic growth slows as inflation surges," Reuters

"Another report on Thursday showed a surprise jump in the number of Americans claiming unemployment benefits last week, which could cast a shadow on expectations for a significant pick-up in output in the second quarter.

Growth in gross domestic product (GDP) slowed to a 1.8 percent annual rate after a 3.1 percent fourth-quarter pace, the Commerce Department said. Economists

• had expected a 2 percent pace....

While a 25,000 rise in claims for state jobless benefits to 429,000 last week hinted at some

• weakening in the labor market....

Economic growth braked sharply in the first quarter as higher food and gasoline prices dampened consumer spending and sent inflation rising at its fastest pace

• in 2-1/2 years....

The weak GDP report and the Federal Reserve's stated commitment to a loose monetary policy stance after a two-day meeting on Wednesday

• drove the dollar to a three-year low against a basket of currencies....

The Fed on Wednesday trimmed its growth estimate for 2011 to between 3.1 and 3.3 percent from a 3.4 to 3.9 percent January projection.

Some economists felt the U.S. central bank's estimates

• might be a little optimistic...

Growth in the first quarter was curtailed by a sharp pull back in consumer spending, which expanded at a rate of 2.7 percent after a strong 4 percent rise in the fourth quarter.
...
Home building made no contribution, while investment in nonresidential structures

• dropped at its quickest pace

• since the fourth quarter of 2009."

=====================================
Reuters shows again they're catching on, economy slowed 'more than expected'

• rather than 'unexpectedly'

4/28/11, "Most Americans say U.S. in recession despite data: poll," Reuters, Gallup Poll, April 20-23

"The government reported on Thursday that U.S. economic growth slowed more than expected to 1.8 percent in the first quarter of the year, as soaring food and gasoline prices

• drained consumer spending power....

More than half of Americans say the U.S. economy is in a recession or a depression despite official data that show a moderate recovery, according to a poll released on Thursday.

Fifty-seven percent of independent voters -- a crucial segment of the electorate for Obama's re-election bid -- said the economy is

• in a recession or depression

• and 24 percent said it is growing."...

via Drudge Report