Sentence Correction

Along with the drop in producer prices annonced yesterday , the strong retail sales figures released today seem like it is indicative that the economy, although growing slowly , is not nearing a recession.

A. same
B. as if to indicate
C. to indicate that
D. indicative of
E. like an indication of

OA : C

I have a doubt releated to usage of although in non underlined part. Isn't the usage is Incorrect? As per OG (Q:9 Please see below) , Although introduce a subordinate clause , which has subject and verb. But in this case , although is followed only by present participle .

Please share your thoughts!

Sunspots, vortices of gas associated with strong electromagnetic activity, are visible as dark spots on the surface of the Sun but have never been sighted on the Sun’s poles or equator.
(A) are visible as dark spots on the surface of the Sun but have never been sighted on
(B) are visible as dark spots that never have been sighted on the surface of the Sun
(C) appear on the surface of the Sun as dark spots although never sighted at
(D) appear as dark spots on the surface of the Sun, although never having been sighted at
(E) appear as dark spots on the Sun’s surface, which have never been sighted on


OG Explanation:


A) Correct. This sentence clearly and correctly draws a contrast between where sunspots are found and where they are not.

B) changing the modifying clause so that that never ... sun distorts the meaning of the sentence; the contrast is lost.

C) Although typically introduces a subordinate clause, which has a subject and a verb, but here there is no subject and sighted is not a complete verb

D) Although typically introduces a subordinate clause, which has a subject and a verb, but here there is no subject of the clause and having been sighted is not a complete verb phrase.

E) The relative pronoun which should immediately follow its referent; here which illogically follows surface and its intended referent, either sunspot or dark spots, becomes unclear