$EURUSD FLASH: Last week, Fed Chairman Powell said, “…we will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion.” With those few words Chairman Powell took the strength out of the argument for a recession because the Fed is very powerful. And with the stock market rallying, President Trump threatening more tariffs on China, stocks are just […]
US consumer debt increased by the most in 5 months in April and topped estimates, suggesting more upbeat sentiment among Americans is supporting borrowing and spending. Total credit expanded $17.5-B from the prior month following an upwardly revised $11-B gain in March, Federal Reserve figures showed Friday. Revolving debt outstanding increased the most since November while non-revolving […]
Cannabis technology companies have created innovative products that tap into a handful of sectors from cultivation and extraction to manufacturing and retail. While the industry is still within its infancy stage due to enforced international regulations, many countries have moved forward and begun to legalize cannabis for medical use. Compared to the more saturated markets, […]
The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits was flat to unchanged last week, suggesting the labor market remains on solid footing despite slowing economic activity. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits were flat to unchanged at a seasonally adjusted 218,000 for the week ended 1 June, the Labor Department said Thursday. Data for the prior […]
$DIA, $SPY, $SOX, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX US household wealth marked a record in Q-1 as the stock market rallied, supporting consumers after Fed interest-rate hikes and trade dispute shocked investors late last year. Net worth for households and non-profit groups increased by $4.69-T, or 4.5%, to $108.6-T after a 3.7% drop in the prior frame, Federal […]
$DIA, $SPY, $SOX, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: The S&P 500 reclaimed its 200-Day MA (2776) after falling below the Key technical mark during the day and bouncing Wednesday US stocks declined Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and NAS Comp closing just above Key support marks, as worries that a lengthy US-China trade war would crimp […]
US consumer confidence rose in May as households grew more upbeat about the labor market, suggesting the economy remained on solid ground despite signs that activity was slowing after being temporarily boosted by exports and a build-up of inventories. The surge in confidence reported by the Conference Board on Tuesday came despite an escalation in tensions in […]
US consumer sentiment spiked to the strongest marks since Y 2004 on a surge in economic expectations following an unexpectedly strong report on first quarter growth. The University of Michigan’s preliminary sentiment index rose to 102.4 in May, topping all estimates in a survey of economists who had projected the gauge would hold at 97.2. 5 years […]
$SPY, $RUTX, $DJIA, $QQQ, $VXX Last Wednesday, the US stock market reversed to the Southside in reaction to comments made during Fed Chairman Powell’s afternoon PC. After the sharp April gainers, many traders were looking for a reason to trade the Southside of the market. But, the selling did not last long, as the S&P […]
FLASH: The Trump Policies are working US consumer confidence was up in April as Americans felt more optimistic about present and future economic conditions, underscoring how a tight labor market and higher wages are underpinning attitudes amid some uncertainty. The Conference Board’s index climbed to 129.2, according to data from the New York-based group Tuesday that topped […]
$USD, $SPY, $QQQ, $DIA FLASH: Slowing inflation may lead the Fed to cut interest rates, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said in a TV interview Monday. “The Fed is independent, but they have been themselves talking about coming and lowering their inflation target, which might mean a lower interest rate adjustment on their own […]
$SPY, $QQQ, $DIA US consumer spending surged 0.9% in March, the biggest gainer in about 10 years, as inflation pressures remain non-existent. The March gain was the biggest monthly increase since August 2009, the Commerce Department reported Monday. That is a big improvement after 3 months of lackluster readings in this Key segment of the economy. Consumer […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: The majority of Fed officials last month believed that economic conditions would likely warrant keeping its Dovish monetary policy unchanged for the rest of this year. Several officials said their view could shift in either direction based on incoming data, according to minutes of the meeting released Wednesday. Weaker growth […]
$GLD, $XAU FLASH: China’s PBoC is on a Gold buying spree as Asia’s Top economy expanded its Gold reserves for a 4th month running, adding to investors’ optimism that central banks from around the world will press on with a drive to build up holdings. June Gold settled today’s session rose $6.00 (+0.5%) to $1301.55/oz […]
American consumers were feeling less confident this month amid continued volatility in the financial markets. The Conference Board, a business research group, says its consumer confidence index fell to 124.1 in March from 131.4 in February. The index, covering through 14 March measures consumers’ assessment of current economic conditions and their expectations for the next 6 months. […]
$AAPL Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Tim Cook said Saturday that he is “extremely bullish” about the global economy based on the amount of innovation underway, and urged China to continue to “open up” due to the complaints of US and others that it is shutting foreign firms out of Key high-tech industries. In a speech at […]
$USD, $SPY FLASH: The Fed’s decisive statement this week that interest rates are unlikely to rise this year sends a signal to US households: keep buying things. The Fed tries to guide the US economy by controlling the interest rate banks charge one another for overnight loans. Moving this rate up lifts other rates in […]
$JPM JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon mow admits that President Trump’s strategy of imposing economic tariffs may just be paying off. “As a negotiating strategy, it might’ve worked,” Mr. Dimon said on TV. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin plan to travel to China next week for another round of […]
FLASH: US consumer sentiment rose by more than expected as optimism picked up for incomes and the economy, suggesting support for growth in coming months. The University of Michigan’s (MSI) preliminary March sentiment index advanced to 97.8, the highest this year, compared with the median forecast of 95.6 in a Bloomberg survey of economists, according to […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Small businesses see bright future ahead Most S&P 500 sectors finish with gains Softening Consumer Price Index for February reinforced notion Fed will be patient US Treasury yields even lower Optimism among small companies in the US improved in February, snapping a 5-month losing streak that was the longest […]
The global economy’s softened throughout Y 2018 has left the pace of expansion the weakest since the global financial crisis a decade ago. A new GDP tracker puts world growth at 2.1% on a Q-Q annualized basis, down from about 4% in the middle of last year. While there is a chance that the economy […]
FLASH: Inflation expectations fell to a 50 year lows in February, according to the University of Michigan’s Survey of Consumers (MSI). Overall consumer sentiment bounced back in February following the end of the Federal government shutdown, although the rebound was smaller than economists anticipated. The survey produced a reading of 93.8 for final February, up 2.6 points […]
US consumers expect to spend more money in Y 2019 than they did a year ago, data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York revealed in a report Tuesday. Households expect larger increases in spending than they forecast the year prior on items including clothing, housing and transportation, data from the Survey of Consumer […]
The measure of US consumer sentiment improved for the 1st time in 5 weeks as political tension in Washington eased after the longest government shutdown in the country’s history. The Consumer Comfort Index rose to 58.2 last week from 57.4, according to a report Thursday. A measure of ratings about personal finances climbed to a […]
$BAC, $CG US consumer spending and business optimism remains strong in the United States despite disruption in the global economy because of trade disputes and the US government shutdown, Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) CEO Brian Moynihan said Thursday. “Based on experts and consumer activity (this month), it looks like a solid year for the US, […]
$RACE, $PAG, $GM Ferrari is an auto stock to watch in Y 2019 as the iconic Italian manufacturer plans to expand its production over the next 7 years Ferrari and Penske are on the top auto stocks to buy in the New Year, Consumer Edge Research’s Jamie Albertine said on TV Wednesday. The automotive research […]
$BAC, $AEP, $KO, $XOM, $MCD, $PG, $PFE Daily HeffX-LTN reviews dozens of the Street’s Key analysts research reports to ID new trading and investing ideas for HeffX-LTN readers. Some reports cover stocks to buy, and others cover stocks to sell or avoid. Below is a list of The Street’s Key analysts outlook for Key dividend producing issues for Thursday from Bank of America Merrill Lynch (NYSE:BAC) […]
Equities Finished Lower on Weaker Energy and FAANGs $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $USO, $VXX The S&P 500 fell 3.8% on this Holiday-shortened trading week, erasing its gain for the year. The DJIA lost 4.4%, the NAS Comp lost 4.3%, and the Russell 2000 lost 2.6%. The S&P 500 lost 0.7% Friday on low-volume. Friday’s session […]
US Consumer Sentiment on Track for Best Year Since 2000 Consumers ready to Pick Up Spending Heading into Holiday Season US consumers have greater certainty about job and income prospects. University of Michigan’s (MSI) consumer sentiment index flat to unchanged but remains strong US consumer sentiment topped analysts expectations to stay on track for its best […]
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model S Luxury Sedan Lost its “Recommended” Rating + Earnings FLASH $TSLA The M-3 sedan, seen as Key to Tesla’s profitability, debuted in CR’s with “Average” reliability. M-X SUV is rated “Much Worse Than Average” The M-S luxury sedan dropped to “Below Average” from “Above Average” and is not recommended. Tesla actually made money last […]
The Cost of Bank Consumer Loans is Falling $JPM, $C, $WFC, $BAC, $V, $MA. $GS Readers are asking the Big Q: Why when interest rates tick up are consumer loan cost ticking down? The Big A: When interest rates tick higher, consumers carrying too much debt start to default, that is the assumption, but Americans […]
S&P 500 Earnings Preview: Q-3 Y 2018 $SPY, $JPM, $C, $WFC, $USD Earnings reporting period is here once again, and it always commands a great deal of attention because earnings drive stock prices over the long term. The S&P 500 has been underpinned by impressive earnings growth. The Q-3 reporting frame, which begins in earnest […]
The Trump Effect: Americans Working, Higher Wages, Booming Manufacturing The Trump Effect has Made America Great Again, and Is Keeping America Great! The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell to a near 49-year low last week, pointing to sustained labor market strength, which continues to underpin economic growth. The labor market, which is […]
US Economic Growth: Consumer Spending Up, Inflation Moderate US consumer spending saw a steady increase in August, supporting expectations of solid economic growth in Q-3, while a measure of underlying inflation remained at the Fed’s 2 percent target for a 4th month running. Friday, economists said the report from the US Commerce Department should allay […]
The Trump Economy: Consumer Confidence Rises 18-Year High US consumer confidence rose to an 18-year high in September as households grew more upbeat about the labor market, pointing to sustained strength in the economy despite an increasingly bitter trade dispute between the US and China. While other data Tuesday showed a moderation in house price […]
President Trump Sees Gain From China Tariffs as Worth US Pain The Trump Administration said it needs to confront China over its trading practices to defend US long-term interests even as escalating tariffs may cause discomfort for American consumers. Inaction by the US would leave the American economy and consumers worse off over the longer […]
The Trump Effect: DJIA, S&P 500 Mark Record Highs $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX Thursday, Wall Street delivered another set of milestones as buying drove US stocks due North, driving the DJIA above the all-time high it closed at in January, marking the 100th record high for DIA since President Trump took the Oval Office […]
The Trump Effect: US Economy is Strong $DIA The strong US economy continues under President Donald Trump. A string of reports Thursday showed the labor market is getting stronger, consumers are increasingly optimistic and manufacturers are expanding, adding to signs that GDP (gross domestic product) remains on track for a solid performance in Q-3 Filings […]
The Trump Effect: US economy Poised for Strong Growth in Q-3 US economy is expanding at a 4.4% annualized rate in Q-3, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow forecast model showed Friday despite retail sales recording their smallest gainer in 6 months in August. Consumers cut back on purchases of motor vehicles and clothing, but upward revisions to […]
The Trump Economy Is ‘Killing It’ Right Now $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow urges all Americans to give President Donald Trump’s negotiating strategy more time because the “entire world” will benefit if all goes if planned because he “is doing the Lord’s work.” As evidence, Mr. Kudlow offers the […]
Americans are Optimistic About the Future $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX Economists say the country is close to full employment, but pay gains for American workers have been flat since Y 2015. Even last week’s upward blip in wage growth could be wiped out by inflation. Yet Americans have not been this optimistic about future […]
Canadian Marijuana ETF in Shares Up 124% Since April $HMMJ, $MJ, $CGC, $STZ, $SMG The 1st marijuana ETF (exchange-traded fund) has reached a milestone that has as much to do with surging marijuana stocks as it does with investor inflows. The Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF’s (HMMJ) total assets have grown to more than […]
Atlanta Fed Lifts Q-3 GDP Prediction to 4.7% $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The next GDPNow update is Wednesday, 5 September. The US economy is growing at a 4.7% annualized rate in Q-3, the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s GDPNow forecast model showed on Tuesday, following the latest data on construction spending and factory activity. This is now […]
MAGA Effect:Household Income Spikes US median household income is at all-time highs US median household income has risen more than 4% since President Donald Trump took office on the overall strong economic growth and robust optimism. Inflation-adjusted median household incomes in July hit $62,450, according to the latest release from Sentier Research. “That’s the highest level […]
Highlights of the Michigan Sentiment Index (MSI) for August US consumer sentiment fell by less than expected in August on a positive outlook for the economy and a strong job market, a University of Michigan report showed Friday. Highlights of Michigan Sentiment (August, Final) Sentiment index decreased to a seven-month low of 96.2 (est. 95.5) […]
US Economy Grows Most in 4 Years US economic growth has come in stronger than initially estimated in Q-2, posting its best performance in nearly 4 years, as businesses boosted spending on software and imports declined. Gross domestic product (GDP) increased at a 4.2% annualized rate, the US Commerce Department said Wednesday in its 2nd […]
US Consumers Financial Stress Falls to All-Time Low on Rising Incomes August Consumer Confidence (actual 133.4, consensus 126.5, prior 127.9) Note: August marks the 2nd time this year that financial stress levels have reached an all-time low, with the previous instance occurring in May, when the Index dropped to 49.9. Further, our stress indicator has […]
US GDP Growing on Strong Domestic Demand The US economy set to charge ahead as fresh domestic demand carries it past some softening overseas, keeping the Fed on course for further interest-rate hikes later this year Households have more cash to spend than thought, thanks to pools of savings and President Donald Trump’s tax cuts. […]
Morning Briefing: Special Report on Strong US Retail $WMT, $COST, $AMZN, $LOW, $URBN, $DG, $HD, $DLTR, $JWN On the world markets: World stocks rose Friday as news of plans for US-China trade talks stoked positive sentiment over their tariff dust up, DJIA finished comfortably above Key resistance at 25,500 expect a pause to refresh and the […]
Investors Cautious on Equities Despite Low Unemployment, Strong Growth Americans were less upbeat about stock even as the US unemployment rate hovered near an 18-year low and the economy recorded its fastest growth pace in four years in the second quarter, a New York Fed survey released Monday revealed. The regional Fed’s barometer on consumers’ […]
US Retail Sales Strong in 2018 $M, $WMT, $COST, $USO NRF Lifts 2018 Retail Sales Forecast on Strong Job Market, Tax Reform The National Retail Federation on Monday raised its US retail sales forecast for Y 2018, citing higher wages, gains in disposable income and a strong job market that have boosted consumer spending. The […]
Collapsing Turkish Lira Shakes World Stock Markets $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX A plunging Turkish lira sent shock waves through global equity markets Friday, causing concerns over the financial health of lenders with heavy exposure to the economically-struggling country. The S&P 500 lost 0.7%, dropping into the red for the week (-0.3%), and the Nasdaq […]
US Producer Price Index Flat, Restraining Inflation Fears $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX US wholesale prices were unchanged in July after 2 months of increases, indicating inflation pressures have softened a bit. Thursday, the Labor Department said that the PPI (producer price index) which measures price changes before they reach the consumer increased 3.3% last month […]
Oregon Has an Oversupply of Marijuana, Most Goes Unsold Commentary: The Oregon cannabis market is very much over-saturated. For consumers, this is great. One can walk into nearly any Oregon dispensary and find buy a gram of quality ‘bud’ for $5.00, and even concentrates are dropping in price. When the state began legal recreational sales in Y 2016, […]
Gender Gap in Consumer Comfort Widens to Record as Men Gain American men have not been this confident in a long time A measure of confidence among American men climbed last week to an almost 18-year high, exceeding that of women by the most in records back to Y 1990 and keeping the Consumer Comfort […]
US Consumer Spending Rises, Inflation Continues to Strengthen Consumer spending increased solidly in June as US households spent more on restaurants and accommodation, building a strong base for the economy heading into Q-3, inflation rose moderately. The Commerce Department said on Tuesday consumer spending, which accounts for nearly 70% of US economic activity, rose 0.4% last […]
Atlanta Fed: “US Economy Growing at 4.5% Annualized Rate” $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX Monday, the Atlanta Fed announced that the US economy is growing at a 4.5% annualized rate in Q-2 following the latest data on strong retail-sales data, the GDPNow forecast model showed. The latest estimate on GDP growth is faster than the […]
US Consumer Comfort on Highs $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX S&P 500 retests its 50-Day Moving Average at 2717 Americans’ sentiment improved to the best mark in 2 months on brighter views of the economy and personal finances, the Consumer Comfort Index reveled Thursday. Highlights of Consumer Comfort for the Week Ended 24 June 2018 […]
US Consumer Expectations are Still Running High $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX About 2/3rds of Americans see the US economy as Good to Great. Monday night President Trump’s top trade adviser Peter Navarro said the White House is not planning to restrict foreign investment as part of its trade actions against China or any other country. […]
Highlights of Consumer Comfort or Week Ended 18 June 2018 Americans’ expectations for the economy advanced for a second month in June to match the highest Mark since Y 2002, the Consumer Comfort Index showed Thursday. Highlights of Consumer Comfort for Week Ended 18 June 2018 Monthly gauge of economic expectations increased to 56 from 54.5 Weekly consumer […]
Supreme Court: “States Can Tax Amazon Marketplace” $AMZN Thursday, the US Supreme Court ruling will now allow states and local governments to pursue sales taxes on more online transactions. The Big Q: How can states collect it? Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) the world’s largest online retailer already takes in sales taxes in all states that charge them […]
MSI: Consumer Sentiment Rises on Americans Optimism US consumer sentiment rose this month amid more-favorable personal finances, while tariffs weighed on Americans’ optimism for the economy and helped boost inflation expectations to a three-year high, according to a University of Michigan report Friday. Highlights of Michigan Sentiment (June, Preliminary) Sentiment index rose to 99.3 (est. 98.5) from 98 […]
If You Do Not Know What Bitcoin is, Read This Please $BTCUSD, $ETHUSD, $CME, $CBOE, $V, $MA If you are 1 of those people who do not know what Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are read this, as there is a keen international interest in this nascent digital asset. Interest in digital currency has expanded over […]
The Trump Effect at Work: US Household Wealth Tops $100-T $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX US household wealth topped the $100-T mark for the 1st time in Q-1 of Y 2018, the Fed reported late Thursday. The Fed said the net worth of the nation’s households and nonprofits rose to $100.8-R in the 1st frame of the year, […]
NASDAQ Marks Another All Time High $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX Tuesday as investors were encouraged by US economic data, driving the NASDAQ to finish at another at record high for the 2nd day running, as the technology and consumer discretionary sectors outpreformed Investors remain a bit wary about trade discussions, with Mexico imposing tariffs […]
The US Economy is Rolling Along on Truck Tires Real GDP may be starting to do so at a faster speed now, exceeding the so-called 2% “stall speed,” which was the so-called “New Normal” from mid-2010 through Q-1 of Y 2018 Consider the following: A Supercharged Quarter: Friday, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model boosted the Q2-2018 real […]
Living in the Trump Era of Optimism, Prosperity and Strong Economic Growth $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ Just in case you missed this at the weekend, and remember Optimism leads to Power! Friday’s blockbuster NFPs (jobs) data capped a long string of recent strong economic reports which has led to much brighter forecasts for American growth under […]
US Stocks Finish Flat to Unchanged Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US consumer sentiment according to a University of Michigan (MSI) report Friday. Consumers anticipated income gains of 1.6%, down from 2.2% in April and 2% last year 51% expected the jobless rate to stabilize at current 18-year lows Inflation rate […]
Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) M-3 EV ‘Busted’ By Consumer Reports $TSLA Model 3m a thrill to drive, it had “big flaws.”– Consumer Reports Monday, Consumer Reports did not recommend Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model 3 sedan, criticizing the car for its braking and taking the shine off a day of gains for shares in Elon Musk’s fledgling EV venture. […]
US Consumer Sentiment Running High and Higher $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US consumer sentiment held steady on a gain in American household expectations, according to a University of Michigan report Friday. The MSI held steady at a solid 98.8 for preliminary May, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Survey Center reported. The comparable April reading was also […]
JOLTS Spike, Wage Growth and Inflation Ahead $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US job openings aka JOLTS rose to a record high in March, suggesting that a recent slowdown in hiring was probably the result of employers having difficulties finding qualified workers. The monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, released by the Labor Department […]
Assets that Will Suffer on the Return to the Normal Interest Rate Regime $SPY, $GLD, $SLV, $BAC While Treasuries faded a bit after 10-year yields tapped at the 3% mark last week for the 1st time in 4 years, expectations are mounting that higher rates will soon be normal again, that rate historically is 5.0% […]
US Families Home-buying Plans Hit Record, Consumer Confidence Jumps Consumer confidence rose in April to the 2nd-highest mark since Y 2000 as Americans grew more upbeat about both current conditions and the economic outlook, according to figures Tuesday from the New York-based Conference Board. Highlights of April Consumer Confidence Report Confidence index rose to 128.7 (est. 126) from 127 […]
US Retail Sales UP on Trump Tax Cuts, Consumer Spending Strengthens US retail sales rebounded in March after 3 straight monthly decliners as households boosted purchases of motor vehicles and other big-ticket items, suggesting consumer spending was heading into Q-2 with momentum. Fears of a trade war between China and the United States have roiled […]
President Trump’s Tax Cuts Seen Halting a 3-Month Retail Sales Slump $SPY For sure President Trump’s tax cuts have given a boost to Americans’ take-home pay this year. The Big Q: Will the US consumer putting the extra cash toward savings and debt, or using it to go shopping? The Big A: We here a […]
President Trump Staking US Trade Position Vs China and the World The US trade figures for February that were released this week and showed a widening deficit. President Donald Trump’s policies over the past year have been calculated to increase the size of the US trade and current account deficits. One could easily say that the […]
US Jobless Claims Fall, US Stocks Soar $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Markets in the US and Europe will be closed tomorrow for Good Friday and some world markets will also be closed on Monday. Oversold technology shares bounced Thursday, leading a broad rally on Wall Street, as investors kicked off the extended Easter weekend on […]
US Economy Strong in Q-4 Consumer spending on goods also saw its biggest Quarterly bounce in more than 11 years after an upward revision to 7.8% growth. The US economy grew significantly faster at the end of Y 2017 than previously reported, with revised data showing stronger consumer spending and business investment, the government reported […]
President Trump’s Tax Reform has Consumer Sentiment Jumps at 14-Yr Highs US consumer sentiment in March unexpectedly jumped to a 14-year highs after tax cuts boosted disposable incomes, while new tariffs boosted inflation expectations and dimmed the outlook, a University of Michigan (MSI) survey showed Friday. Highlights of Michigan Sentiment (March, Preliminary) Sentiment index rose to […]
US Retail Sales Slide for 3rd Month Running, Inflation Edges Up $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US retail sales fell for a 3rd straight month in February as households cut back on purchases of motor vehicles and other big-ticket items. Despite signs of cooling in consumer spending, inflation pressures are building, which may allow the Fed […]
US Consumer Confidence is at 17 Year Highs $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US Consumer Confidence jumped to a 17-year high as optimism about employment prospects grew and Americans began seeing additional money in their paychecks from recently enacted Trump tax cuts, data from the New York-based Conference Board showed Tuesday. Highlights of Consumer Confidence (February) […]
Inflation & Gold, the Link Between the Elements $GLD The Big Q: On fueled inflation will Gold’s price soar? The Big A: The recent US NFPs report showed that wages had jumped 2.9% in January on an annual basis. It was the best since Y 2009, which awakened investor fears of inflation. That’s why investors awaited Wednesday’s data on […]
The Trump Effect Continues, Consumer Sentiment Spikes, Stocks Recover $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US consumer sentiment rose in February to the 2nd-highest mark since Y 2004 as tax cuts and a strong job market helped Americans shrug off stock-market volatility, a University of Michigan survey showed Friday. Highlights of Michigan Sentiment (February, Preliminary) Sentiment index rose to […]
US Stocks Overcome Early Weakness Finishing in the Green $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Tuesday, US stocks overcame early weakness driving the major indices North for the 3rd session running. Fully, 9 of the 11 S&P 500 sectors finished in the Green, with financials (+0.5%), consumer discretionary (+0.5%), and real estate (+0.6%) being the Top performers. […]
Blockchain, Bitcoin Ushering in a New Age in Retail Spending $BTCUSD, $SBUX, $AMZN Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) Chairman Howard Schultz has said in the past that retail was going to witness “a seismic change” in consumer behavior because of technology, most notably the Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) effect and the explosion of e-Commerce. “I think if you look at […]
US Core Consumer Prices Mark Big Gainer US consumer prices recorded their largest increase in 11 months in December on strong gains in the cost of rental accommodation and healthcare, bolstering expectations that inflation will accelerate this year. Stock soar on inflation news: no inflation, no growth The strengthening domestic demand was underscored by other […]
Seeing Inflation Almost Everywhere We Look, Growth Too! Investors with the idea that inflation will stay subdued should be concerned. Worldwide data have recently made clear that PPIs (producer-price indexes) have ticked up leading bond buyers to begin wagering that consumer inflation could be soon to follow, with US breakeven rates above 2% in here The […]
America’s Confident Consumers Post Record Breaking Holiday Spending $AMZN, $M, $MA, $TGT, $FDX, $UPS The US Holiday shopping season is on track to break sales records on the back of rising consumer confidence presenting an unexpected “boom” for retailers and the delivery companies they rely on. The Christmas Holiday shopping season, a Key period for […]
US Economist Sees Strong Growth in 2018 $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX A top-ranked US economist last year predicted that real US economic growth would reach 3% in Y 2017. “With a tax cut package finally passed by Congress, growth is likely to remain robust as we head into 2018,” Steven Stanley said. “The economy’s 2% […]
US Consumer Confidence Up in Blue Counties Since Trump’s Victory Surveys that question respondents about their political affiliation have generally shown that consumer confidence among Republicans has soared since the US elections in November 2016, whereas Democrats have lagged. When the data are broken down by which way a county voted it is the Democratic […]
Equity Investors in ‘Risk On’ Mode for Fear of Missing Out $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Wall Street’s fear of missing out on this extending Trump Rally is “trumping” all if any political risk in Washington, DC. The countdown on the GOP’s efforts to cut corporate taxes has virtually ended, its a deal, now the risk […]
Strong US Consumer Confidence Cheers Retailers Black Weekend indicated US Consumers shopped for the real deals. Having just gotten through a huge Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, news that consumers did not go out and shop ‘till they dropped in October was not something for retailers to worry about. After splurging on […]
US Consumer Confidence Climbs to 17-Year Highs Holiday shopping started strong and the data suggest that will continue. US Consumer Confidence marked a 17-year high in November, with optimism ticking higher for the 5th month running, according to a monthly survey released Tuesday. Consumers’ outlook about jobs and the business environment edged upwards, adding to […]
The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a “Sick, Sad Joke” President Donald Trump declared that he would bring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) “back to life,” and criticized how the agency has been devastating to financial institutions under the Hussein Obama Admin’s leadership. “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, has been a […]
US Stock Indexes Post Record Highs, Tech and Energy Outperform $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX On this sleepy Friday The Trump Rally extended, as stocks set more records in post-Holiday trading as technology companies outperformed, and Energy companies rose with the price of Crude Oil. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 5.34 points, or 0.2%, to […]
Inflation is Back, Meaning Growth is Back $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Underlying US consumer prices increased in October on the back of a pickup in rents and healthcare costs, bolstering the view that a recent dis-inflationary trend worrying the Fed probably had ended. The rise in the consumer price index, excluding the volatile food and […]
US Consumer Sentiment Falls on Inflation, Rate-Hike Fears $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US Consumers remain optimistic about employment and the economy. US consumer sentiment in fell on expectations that inflation and interest rates will rise, according to a University of Michigan report Friday. Highlights of Michigan Sentiment Indicator (November, preliminary) Sentiment index dropped to 97.8 (est. 100.8) […]
US Consumer Confidence at 17 Year Highs $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US consumer confidence rose more than expected in October to the highest mark since Y 2000, as Americans grew more confident about the economy and job market, according to figures Tuesday from the New York-based Conference Board. Highlights of Consumer Confidence (October) Confidence index rose to […]
Highlights of Michigan Sentiment Indicator for October Consumer Sentiment climbed in October to the highest mark since the start of Y 2004 as US households grew upbeat about the outlook for the US economy, a University of Michigan (MSI) survey showed Friday. Highlights of Michigan Sentiment (October, final) Sentiment index rose to 100.7 (matching est.) […]
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model 3 Reliability Likely to Be ‘Just’ Average $TSLA, $TM, $GM Tesla Inc.’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) new Model 3 sedan is likely to have “average” reliability despite production snags. Consumer Reports magazine said on Thursday. The magazine said its survey of 640,000 vehicles showed that all-new vehicles or models with newly updated technology are more […]