This index fell by six points in May to 45, its lowest since 1995. (A score below 50 suggests that more builders reckon the market is poor than think it good.) Economists at Goldman Sachs estimate, from the fall in the homebuilders' index, that construction will fall at an annual rate of 10-15% in the next four quarters.

ECONOMIST: America's housing market is losing its effervescence

Morgan expects business investment to fall at an annual rate of between 5% and 9% in the first three quarters of 1999.

ECONOMIST: No longer boom, but not yet doom

So I trek back to Hermann Stadium the following week and freeze my pants off to watch my 49ers in the A10 quarters, only to see their top 10 ranking and NCAA seeding fall at the hands of an OT upset loss to Xavier.

FORBES: Charlotte 49ers Run To Final Four a Reminder of Positives Inherent in College Athletics