Economists at Bank of America lifted their forecast for third-quarter US GDP growth to 27% from 15% on Friday. Business Insider reports better-than-expected trends in retail sales, the housing market, and hiring. BoA lowered its fourth-quarter projection to 3% from 5%. Failed stimulus negotiations are growing increasingly likely. No new aid could be a speed bump for the American economy. BoA made the adjustment after Senate Democrats blocked Republicans' $500 billion measure on Thursday. The parties remain hundreds of billions of dollars apart in their respective proposals' sizes.
