More recession fears after retail sales report

NEW YORK (AP) — Fresh signs are emerging that the U.S. economic slowdown may be intensifying. Retail sales fell in December for their worst showing in six months.

One analyst says the latest numbers raise questions about whether consumer spending can keep the nation out of a recession.

The government also reports that despite a slight drop in wholesale prices last month, inflation at the wholesale level for all of 2007 stands at 6.3 percent.

Meanwhile, bad bets on mortgages led Citigroup to a record $10 billion quarterly loss.

Stocks slumped. The Dow finished down by more than 275 points.