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Tag Archives: US economy

Retail Sales Up in April in the US

 

his is a row of Cash Registers at a Target store in the US. Photo by   Marlith
his is a row of Cash Registers at a Target store in the US. Photo by Marlith

Good news for the economy: The overall sales rate grew fastest since March 2015, showing a gain of 1.3 percent this month compared to last month. Car sales also improved, surging by 3.2 percent; an excellent performance coming off of last month’s drop of 3.2 percent.

Total retail sales in March were even better than what was previously reported; falling by only 0.3 percent instead of the predicted 0.4 percent.

“The numbers came in much stronger than we expected,” said Peter Cardillo chief market economist at First Standard Financial. “That will help alleviate the market’s concerns over retail. The number also puts the rate hike back on the table,” he added.

Online stores and catalogue shopping have eaten away at the profits from brick and mortar shops, up by 2.1 percent. Clothing sales rose by 1 percent. The slight improvement comes only a week after the news of the closing of four department stores; Macy’s, Kohl’s,  Nordstrom and JC Penney.

Also eating away at profits is the trend to buying more expensive products such as electronics, household goods and cars.

US Inventory Rise Bodes Well for Economy

April was a strong month for the US economy as business inventories posted their largest increase in six months.  Leaving out figures for automobiles, the data support expectations for a significant improvement in growth during the year’s second quarter. Numbers released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed inventories rising by 0.6 percent in April,… Continue Reading

US Job Growth at 15 Year High

For the first time this century the United States saw more than 200,000 jobs added to the economy for four months in a row. This and other data are pointing to a US economy in definite recovery mode, despite the continuing difficult economic struggle still experienced in Europe and Asia. May’s gain of 217,000 jobs… Continue Reading

Investing in a Post-QE3 Economy

Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Friday discussing the intentions of the Fed to help the faltering US economy. Still undecided about another round of quantitative easing, Bernanke did not announce bond buying by the Fed to stimulate the economy, nor did he rule it out. Labeled… Continue Reading

U.S. Fuel Economy Improving

According to data released by TrueCar.com, the increased popularity of trucks and SUVs has resulted in a slightly lower fuel economy of cars and trucks this past April. To be exact, the fuel economy average of new vehicles was 23.3 mpg in April, in comparison with March’s 23.4 mpg. The small change comes as gas… Continue Reading

Quote of the Day: New York Fed President William Dudley on Today’s Economy

The Federal Reserve is still debating whether or not to embark on a third phase of quantitative easing, shorthand QE3, said William Dudley New York Fed president, a close confidant of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Dudley believes that the economy’s recovery is still fragile, despite the recent signs of improvement. If not handled properly… Continue Reading

Obama Defeated in Debt Limit

In an attempt to raise the US debt limit to help “restore growth” to his country’s economy, President Barack Obama probably left feeling somewhat beaten.  In an article in Reuters, it was reported that “the outcome of the debt battle dismayed Obama’s liberal base just when he needs them for 2012 fundraising and support, and… Continue Reading