Tag Archives: retail sales
Consumer Debt Falls to Pre-Recession Level
Financial FAQs The total amount of debt held by Americans fell again in the first three months of 2013 and stood at the lowest level since the middle of 2006, the New York Federal Reserve said Tuesday. The level of … Continue reading
Higher Retail Sales Point to Consumer Health
Popular Economics Weekly Consumers are buying more, a reflection of improving incomes and the jobs market. The U.S. Census Bureau announced Wednesday that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for February, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday … Continue reading
Consumers Key to Future Growth
Popular Economics Weekly The February unemployment report gives a big boost to predictions for 2013 growth. The unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, and some 236,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added to the workforce (246,000 private payroll jobs, less 10,000 … Continue reading
The Fed Worried About Continued Growth
Popular Economics Weekly Fourth Quarter Gross Domestic Product growth was a bust. What does that say about 2013? Are consumers tapped out, and capital expenditures (capex) shrinking, the two main drivers of economic growth? It doesn’t seem so, as long … Continue reading
2013 U.S. Economy Finally In Recovery
Popular Economics Weekly With tax rates returning to more normal levels from the rollback of Bush era tax cuts, and Republicans giving up on denying debt ceiling increases until April that would force more cuts in government spending, there seem … Continue reading
Q4 GDP Growth Improving
Financial FAQs We are seeing faster economic growth in the fourth quarter, even after the upward revision of Q3 GDP growth to 2.7 percent from 2.0 percent. The reason? The 146,000 jump in November payroll jobs, soaring retail sales, and … Continue reading
Better Growth and Jobs Ahead?
Popular Economics Weekly The U.S. economy is now growing faster than the rest of the advanced economies. And the Fed just announced it will discuss a possible expansion of the size of its third round of bond buying (QE3) and … Continue reading
Housing Construction, Retail Sales Surge
The Mortgage Corner Another sign that the economy is finally recovering—new housing starts surged 15 percent, to their highest levels since 2008 and the beginning of the Great Recession. This is boosting construction employment in particular, but also finance, insurance … Continue reading
Increased Consumer Spending a Good Sign
Financial FAQs The most recent retail sales show consumers are able to spend more, even as they borrow more. Add to that credit card delinquencies are at an 18-year low, according to credit reporting company Transunion Corp., and we have … Continue reading
Consumer Spending Continues to Improve
FINANCIAL FAQs The most recent retail sales show consumers continue to spend, as consumer borrowing is increasing. Add to that credit card delinquencies are at an 18-year low, according to credit reporting company Transunion Corp., and we have a picture … Continue reading
