Bankruptcies fall by half

Bankruptcy filings through January of this year continued a dramatic downtrend nationwide. Total U.S. bankruptcy filings were down 51% from their peak in early 2010, while filings in California's Central District were down 52% from their early 2011 peak. At this rate, bankruptcy filings will be back to something close to a "normal" rate by this time next year. It all adds up to persuasive evidence of a significant improvement in U.S. economic fundamentals.