Monday’s August report on industrial production is projected to post a 0.3% rise vs. the previous month, based on The Capital Spectator’s average econometric forecast. The expected gain compares with the previous update of no change in industrial output for July. Meanwhile, the Capital Spectator’s average projection for August is slightly below a consensus forecast based on a survey of economists.
Daily Archives: September 13, 2013
Slower Retail Spending…. Again
The pace of growth in US retail sales slowed again last month, the Census Bureau reports. For the second month in a row, consumer spending on retail goods and services expanded at a lesser rate, rising a modest 0.2% in August vs. the previous month. That’s the smallest rise since April. On the other hand, retail spending still managed to increase for the fifth consecutive month. It’s been two years since the previous run of five straight monthly gains. Nonetheless, the advance has turned sluggish lately, raising questions about the future.
Asset Allocation & Rebalancing Review | 13 Sep 2013
Can you say “rebound”? Mr. Market can. Asset prices have taken a sharp turn higher in September, or at least some of the recently battered markets fall into that category, as today’s comparison with the previous update on August 28 reminds. The general change since then is striking, considering the breadth of negative momentum as last month slumped to a close. It’s anyone’s guess if the revival of late will continue, but for the moment the bulls have made a bit of progress in putting the bears on the defensive, if only on the margins.