Market Selloff Could Forecast Trouble Ahead
Growing number of Wall Street analysts wonder whether sharp slide in stock market may signal recession in US; market has fallen nearly 14 percent in past six weeks, with more than s third of loss in most recent week, and has not experienced such prolonged downturn since 1990, when US last slipped into recession; few economists believe end of nation's seven-year economic boom is near; say that even if stock prices had risen too high, economic fundamentals remain sound; even though corporate profits have slowed because of economic difficulties in Asia, there are few signs yet that weakness is widespread enough to cause total US economic to begin shrinking; there are no indications of inflation that may cause Federal Reserve to raise interest rates--typical precursor to economic slump (M)
