NEW YORK — Early reports from retailers show that Americans took a breather from their March shopping spree in April, partly because Easter came earlier. But the spring selling season is ending up respectable, an encouraging sign for the economy.

As merchants report their monthly figures today, discounters including Costco Wholesale are emerging as the biggest winners. Limited Brands had a solid sales gain. But teen merchants including Wet Seal continue to struggle with declines.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Sara Lee says it lost money during its fiscal third quarter, pulled down by a tax charge and other items.But the food company raised its 2010 adjusted earnings guidance, which is now expected to top Wall Street's expectations.Sara Lee lost $336 million, or 49 cents per share, compared with net income of $165 million, or 24 cents per share, a year ago.Removing a tax charge and other items totaling 79 cents per share, profit was 29 cents per share. That tops the 21 cents-per-share analyst estimate.

WASHINGTON — Record-low interest rates are still needed to help the economy withstand problems in the U.S. real estate industry and financial troubles in other countries like Greece, a Federal Reserve official said Wednesday."The economy, while in a much better place than a year ago, is still susceptible to negative shocks," Eric Rosengren, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, said in a speech prepared for delivery in New York.