How to parse business news stories

From TKer

changes in many metrics can be interpreted as a negative development regardless of the direction of the change. For example, a rising saving rate is arguably bad because it reflects an increasingly cautious consumer that is pulling back from spending. But a falling saving rate is also arguably bad because it reflects an increasingly irresponsible consumer who is spending beyond their means.

The truth is that all of these interpretations carry some theoretical weight.

So the question becomes: How does one decide between the positive interpretation versus the negative interpretation?