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Consumer Spending

Another Spring Slowdown?

The latest batch of economic indicators released on Thursday is likely to bolster concerns that the U.S. economy is in jeopardy of succumbing to yet another spring slowdown.While it's too early to jump to any definitive conclusions, the four reports all came in softer than economists had projected, revealing a tumble in U.S. housing starts, an energy-fueled drop in consumer prices, an unexpected contraction in regional manufacturing activity and a surprise jump in jobless claims."All of the data on the economic side underscore that it's a challenging time for the economy right now. We've definitely seen a loss of momentum in the spring," said Michelle Girard, senior economist at RBS (NYSE:RBS).But other economists expressed skepticism, especially given volatility in the data and expectations for a far gloomier 2013 due to the fiscal cliff and sequestration."I wouldn't make too much of it. The economy seems to be doing, on balance, better in the second quarter than people would have tho...

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  1. U.S. Retail Sales Rise 0.1%, Beat Expectations

    U.S consumers spent more at most retailers in April, offsetting a big decline in sales at gas stations, signaling that shoppers are gaining confidence about the econ...

  2. Retail Sales Unexpectedly Make Small Gains

    Retail sales unexpectedly rose in April as households bought automobiles, building materials and a range of other goods, pointing to underlying strength in the econo...

  3. Retail sales edge up, show some strength in economy

    Retail sales unexpectedly rose in April as households bought automobiles, building materials and a range of other goods, pointing to underlying strength in the econo...

  4. U.S. Retail Sales Climb 0.1% In April

    Sales at U.S. retailers rose slightly in April and exceeded Wall Street's forecast, as broad demand for most goods outweighed a sharp drop in spending at gas station...

  5. Australia's Nonmining Economy Warms to Rate Cuts

    Australia's economy is increasingly responding to more than a year of central bank rate cuts aimed at preparing the country for the end of a mining boom that's helpe...

  6. MARKET SNAPSHOT: Stock Rally's Burden Shifts To The Consumer

    Consumer-related stocks, at the vanguard of this year's rally, may face particular headwinds this week as retailers report earnings and a slew of consumer data hits ...

  7. Week Ahead: Retail Earnings and Lots of Data

    Earnings from retailers and lots of economic data related to inflation and housing will keep investors busy next week.Bellwether retailers scheduled to release their...

  8. DIY Retailers Cheer Housing Recovery

    As the housing market shows signs of life, home-improvement retailers are cheering.For the last few years, companies like Home Depot (NYSE:HD) and Lowe's (NYSE:LOW) ...

  9. ANZ Cuts Standard Variable Home-Loan Rate 27 BPs

    Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ.AU) has cut its headline home loan rate by more than the Australian central bank's rate cut this week, stepping up th...

  10. National Australia Bank Profit Rises, Challenges Ahead

    National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB.AU) the nation's fourth-largest bank by market value, said first-half profit jumped 23% as earnings from personal and wholesale ban...

  11. Australia Jobless Data Reflects Mining Slowdown

    Unemployment rose at an accelerating pace in Australia's most resource-rich state last month, adding to evidence that the nation's decade-long mining boom is fizzlin...

  12. National Australia Bank Profit Surges

    National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB.AU) said first-half profit jumped 23% as earnings from personal and wholesale banking improved, but warned of rough seas ahead for ...

  1. Mortgage Rates Make Small Increase Last Week

    The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.51% in the week ending May 16, up from 3.42% in the prior week, Freddie Mac said Thursday in its weekly report. A year ago,...

  2. Japan's first-quarter growth beats forecasts as first stimulus effects felt

    Japan's economy grew faster than expected in January-March, expanding at its quickest pace in a year on the back of solid private consumption and a rise in exports s...

  3. Southwest CEO Says All You Need Is LUV

    Southwest Airlines Co. has been profitable for 40 straight years.Unlike every other major carrier, it has never filed bankruptcy. It has never sacked employees with ...

  4. Eurozone in Longest Recession on Record

    On May 6, I wrote on Fox News Europe was in danger of falling into a permanent recession—a depression.Now, the European statistical agencies report France joined Ita...

  5. Commonwealth Bank Profit Rises

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AU) said profit climbed 12% in its fiscal third quarter, as the lender squeezed higher profit from loans after holding back centr...

  6. Commonwealth Bank Profit Gains After Holding Back Rate Cuts

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AU) said profit climbed 12% in its fiscal third quarter, as the lender squeezed higher profit from loans after holding back centr...

  7. Market Wrap for Monday, May 13: Major Averages Closed Mixed as Retail Sales Data Surpasses Expectations

    The major averages closed out Monday's trading session mixed despite retail sales data that showed consumer spending trended higher than expected last month.The Dow ...

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