That initial cost was hefty, but is being offset by savings on energy costs.
That gives more scope for bad harvests in some regions being offset by better ones elsewhere.
Hometrack sees a scarcity of supply being offset by a murky economic outlook.
And the weak dollar is being offset by tourists from Europe and Canada.
"Currently the cost pressures from higher commodity prices are being offset by the stability in unit labor costs," he added.
Now, those stimulus payouts are waning, and are being offset by spending cuts by state and local governments.
Nokia's problems are being offset by the rise of electronic-games makers such as Rovio, the creator of Angry Birds.
"There is an overall sense of unease," he said, "which is being offset by, generally speaking, good earnings".
But, most important, for many Americans improved job news is being offset by bad news, from rising petrol prices to soaring medical costs.
Meanwhile, the maritime authorities are warning seafarers that a decline in piracy off Somalia is being offset by an increase in incidents off West Africa.
Profits in North America are being offset by falling earnings in Europe as the region's economy continues to come apart on concerns about government debt.
