HAVE WE HIT BOTTOM YET?
Part 2

Our readers who responded to last week's Quick Pollbelieve the US economic glass is more than half full—of more badnews to come. Some 68% of the 709 who have so far responded say"Nope—Still More Pain ahead." A slim 10%, who responded on the sideof "You Bet—And I Think I See Activity," seem to roam in relativelyscarce optimistic circles when it comes to viewpoints on thenation's economy. Even when added to the 21% who voted for "Yep—ButUpside Is Still Far Away," the combined force of their opinionsdon't totalhalf the numbers of those who believe who've got a stilllonger row to hoe before things begin to improve. Douglas Herzbrunis global head of research for CB Richard Ellis Investors in LosAngeles, and in this second of a two-part Commentary on the stateof the economy, he provides his view of the recession, pointing outthat making a call now on the economic bottom is something bestdone in the future: Here's why:

"We won't know until after the fact if we're in a recession…Ithink that's a high probability that that's going to happen.