Bangkok--15 Aug--Standard & Poor's The news this week for the U.S. economy was mixed, said Standard & Poor's Senior Economist Beth Ann Bovino in a Web cast made available today. The trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in June on a huge jump in exports as companies found more buyers overseas. However, July retail sales were relatively weak, as rebate checks dry, though upwardly revised June data helped soften the news. Overall, the data still suggest a recession, though a mild one. If the consumer hangs in, the economy could keep chugging along--albeit at a sluggish pace. If pessimism gains the upper hand, the recession could be worse than expected. To view this Web cast, type this URL into your browser: http://event.standardandpoors.com/?elqPURLPage=140. Standard & Poor's Web casts look at the latest macroeconomic news and provide our opinion on today's volatile markets. These Web casts combine both video and charts so viewers can easily follow along with the speaker. Media Contact: Mimi Barker, New York (1) 212-438-5054 [email protected] Analyst Contact: Beth Ann Bovino, New York (1) 212-438-1652 Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), is the world's foremost provider of financial market intelligence, including independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research and data. With approximately 8,500 employees, including wholly owned affiliates, located in 23 countries and markets, Standard & Poor's is an essential part of the world's financial infrastructure and has played a leading role for more than 140 years in providing investors with the independent benchmarks they need to feel more confident about their investment and financial decisions. For more information, visit http://www.standardandpoors.com. Key Contacts: Americas Media Relations: (1) 212-438-6667 media_ [email protected] Americas Customer Service: (1) 212-438-7280 [email protected]