Retail sales up, as expected, for January in US

U.S. retail sales rose 0.1% in January from December, as expected. Excluding the auto segment, sales were up 0.2%, slightly above the 0.1% estimated.FoxBusiness.com

Global economy bouncing back: Moody's

(Reuters) - Moody's Investor Services on Tuesday said downside risks for the global economy had receded in the past three months, though a number of dangers still remained. In its latest Global Macro Risk Scenarios report, the ratings agency also said it expected economic growth to be slow in many countries.

Strong retail sales in January

(Reuters) - Many top retailers reported strong January sales on Thursday after offering merchandise and deals that drew in shoppers in spite of higher payroll taxes.

Spring seasonal hiring up

Home Depot to hire more than 80,000 for seasonal positions this spring; more than 10,000 jobs than 2012 - @CNNMoney

Dow hits 14000 for first tie since 2007

On the back of its best January in nearly two decades, the Dow launched past the 14000 mark for the first time since 2007 Friday amid growing optimism the global economy is picking up steam.FoxBusiness

US construction spending up 0.9 percent

WASHINGTON (AP) — Spending on U.S. construction projects rose in December, ending a year in which construction activity increased for the first time in six years.

More.

Employment report points to steady economic growth

(Reuters) - Employment grew modestly in January and gains in the prior two months were bigger than initially reported, supporting views the economy's sluggish recovery was on track despite a surprise contraction in output in the final three months of 2012. 

More.

Nonfarm payrolls rose by 157,000 in January

The Labor Department reports nonfarm payrolls rose by 157,000 in January from December, slightly below the 160,000 expected. The unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9% from 7.8% the month prior. December's nonfarm payroll increase was revised up to 196,000 from a previously reported 155,000.FoxBusiness

Planned business spending up

(Reuters) - A gauge of planned business spending rose in December, a sign that business worries over tighter fiscal policy may not have held back investment plans as much as feared at the end of 2012.

US orders for durable goods rise 4.6% in December, sign of strength in manufacturing - @AP

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — U.S. stock futures gained Monday after equipment-maker Caterpillar Inc. reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit and orders for durable goods jumped in December.

Retail sales point to firmer consumer spending

(Reuters) - Retail sales rose solidly in December as Americans shrugged off the threat of higher taxes and bought automobiles and a range of other goods, suggesting momentum in consumer spending as the year ended. More.

Cornell prof says today's numbers point to recovery

“In a month when virtually all economists feared negative fallout from Hurricane Sandy and the consensus for the new job figure was between 80,000 and 90,000, the U.S. economy proved it is indeed on the track to recovery with 146,000 new jobs and a drop in the unemployment rate to 7.7 percent" Source

Home sales up

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Pending home sales rose 5.2% in October in the most recent data signaling a recovering housing market, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday.

Jobless claims fell more than expected

New claims for unemployment benefits fell last week to 393,000 last week from an upwardly revised 416,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to fall to 390,000 from an initially reported 410,000.- FoxBusiness

Consumer confidence up

US consumer confidence index rises to 73.7 in November, highest level since February 2008 - @AP

Biggest UK retailer up 11 per cent this week, biggest November ever

This further emphasizes the disconnect between what governments are saying about their economic affairs and what people are saying about theirs, and it's not just in the United States.

The "economists" need to take a step back and figure out what is going on. They are mired in jargon and old-school ways of looking at things. They frame their narrative to meld with their inherent biases. It serves no one.

Consumer CONFIDENCE is up

Survey of US consumer confidence rose in October to highest level since February 2008 - @AP

US manufacturing up

The Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing PMI gauge rose to 51.7 in October from 51.5 in September, the highest reading since May. The index was expected to fall to 51.2. Readings above 50 indicate expansion while those below indicate contraction. - FoxBusiness

Consumers drive growth as businesses hold back

(Reuters) - Economic growth accelerated in the third quarter as a last minute spurt in consumer spending and a surprise turnaround in government outlays offset the first cutback in business investment in more than a year.

Economic expansion in Q3 in US up 2%

A preliminary reading on U.S. gross domestic product showed the economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2% in the third quarter, up from 1.3% in the second quarter and slightly above estimates of 1.9%.- FoxBusiness

Retail up

US retail sales jumped 1.1% as consumers spent more on autos, gas and electronics - @AP

Service sector expanding at faster rate than thought

The Institute for Supply Management's gauge of service-sector activity rose to 55.1 in September from 53.7 in August, suggesting the sector is expanding at a faster rate. Economists expected a reading of 53.1.- FoxBusiness

Jobs added number higher than expected

The ADP National Employment Report shows the U.S. private sector added 162,000 jobs in September, topping estimates for an increase of 143,000. The increase in August payrolls was revised down to 189,000 from 201,000.- FoxBusiness

U.S. home prices rose 4.6% in August, biggest jump in six years

All but six states are experiencing the gains, with only 20 of 100 major cities showing price depreciation, according to CoreLogic. In July, 26 major metro areas experienced slumps. More in the LA Times

Spending, income up slightly in August

Personal spending rose 0.5% in August from July as expected, marking the largest increase since February. Personal income rose 0.1%, slightly below the 0.2% expected.- FoxBusiness

Consumer confidence up

US consumer confidence jumps to highest level since February on brighter job outlook - @AP

Home prices up in July

The S&P/Case Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas shows home prices rose 1.6% in July from June on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, a smaller increase then the 1.8% expected. Prices were up 1.2% from a year ago, more than the 1% expected. - FoxBusiness

Fed already claiming credit for economy turnaround

(Reuters) - The Federal Reserve's latest round of monetary stimulus will help get the U.S. economy back on track and speed the return to full employment, a top official of the U.S. central bank said on Monday.

They obviously have much better resources on what is going on at the local levels. They must sense the same kind of turnaround that we have, and they are doubling down on it so that they can take the credit.

The fiscal cliff disconnect continues

(Reuters) - German sports-car maker Porsche (VOWG_p.DE) expects to increase deliveries next year beyond the 140,000 vehicles the company plans to sell in 2012, chief executive Matthias Mueller said.

How is it that the world is heading toward a collective fiscal cliff, while collectively the world is buying more Porsches? Maybe it's because the people who are buying the Porches know how to run their businesses while the people who run the governments' do no know how to run theirs?

Consumers Feel Personal Finances and National Economy on an Upswing, New Chase Survey Says

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More Americans believe that their personal finances and the economy are stable or improving than did a year ago, according to the annual Chase Pulse of the Consumer Survey. The majority of Americans, 64 percent, believe that the economy is either at bottom and stable or has already bottomed out and is getting better, compared to only 33 percent last year.

“Chase continues to make a significant investment in mobile to ensure our customers have secure and seamless on-the-go technology to manage their finances.”

The 2012 Chase Pulse of the Consumer Survey takes a comprehensive look at Americans’ financial habits and their attitudes toward the economy and their own finances. The survey reveals that 65 percent of consumers believe that their personal finances have already bottomed out and are either constant or getting better compared to only 56 percent at this time last year.

Seems like there's some extra money floating around in everyone's pockets

Preorders of the iPhone 5 surpassed 2 million in its first 24 hours of availability, more than doubling last year's record set by the iPhone 4S, Apple announced on Monday.

These are purchases of choice, not of necessity. How is that possible if we are heading toward another cliff?

Businesses use headlines to cover their butts; wire services enable them

(Reuters) - Electrolux's (ELUXb.ST) market for household appliances in Europe is suffering from a slowdown, which is spreading from the crisis-hit south to other markets, the chief executive of the Swedish company said on Monday. Keith McLoughlin told Reuters in an interview that it looked like the group, the second largest home appliances maker after U.S. market leader Whirlpool, (WHR.N) would come in at the bottom end of its 2012 forecast range of flat to minus two percent.

With all due respect to Electrolux, and we will admit to not knowing a whit about their business, why is it that the wire services trumpet some CEO's whining about why his company didn't hit its number as though it were the gospel truth? We're not that dumb out here. We know that one company's poor performance does not mean that the whole economy is going to you-know-where in a handbasket. So why, dear Reuters, do you make it seem that way? For every Electrolux, there have to be some other companies that are making money selling Electrolux-like widgets to the masses. Just because you are too lazy to go out and find them and report on what it is that they are doing does not make it right for you to shape public opinion on the economy based on one CEO who is pointing fingers everywhere but inside his own company. 

Consumers upbeat

(Reuters) - Consumer sentiment unexpectedly rose in early September to its highest level in four months as Americans were more upbeat about their economic and job prospects, a survey showed on Friday.

U.S. economy out of "intensive care": Bridgewater's Dalio

(Reuters) - Hedge fund titan Ray Dalio said the U.S. economy had come out of the "intensive care unit," but he warned against any quick move to "austerity" budget measures.

"We were in the intensive care unit," Dalio, who runs the $120 billion hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, told more than 200 guests at the Council of Foreign Relations in Manhattan on Wednesday. "We are largely healed and largely operating in a manner that is sustainable if we don't hit an air pocket."

Small business confidence rises in August

(Reuters) - Small business sentiment rose in August for the first time in four months as more owners anticipated better business conditions after the November 6 elections and increased sales.

Planned layoffs drop to 20-month low, unemployment claims drop

(Reuters) - The number of planned layoffs at U.S. companies dropped for a third straight month in August and hit a 20-month low, a report showed on Thursday.

FoxBusiness: New claims for unemployment benefits fell to 365,000 from an upwardly revised 377,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to fall to 370,000 from an initially reported 374,000.  

Fox Business: The Institute for Supply Management's gauge of service-sector activity rose to 53.7 in August, the highest level since May, from 52.6 in July. The index was expected to fall slightly to 52.5. 

US productivity up in Q2

US productivity grew at 2.2% rate in April-June quarter, faster than previously thought, according to the AP.

FedEx says profits below target, blames economy

FedEx FDX -3.14% said late Tuesday profit for the quarter ended Aug. 29 will be below the company's original target. The announcement sent FedEx shares down 4% to $84 in after-hours trade."...[W]eakness in the global economy constrained revenue growth ..."

More at MarketWatch.

Of course they're going to blame the economy. The economy can't talk back and defend itself. How about the fact that people don't need to FedEx as many documents as they did a year ago because of new technologies? How about FedEx admitting that they didn't quite plan for that? Nah. Blame the economy. Wall Street will believe it and the market will go down even more because mighty FedEx is down. The spiral continues.

Hey. FedEx. Guess what. It doesn't have to be there overnight, because everybody just emailed it.

Car sales up in August in US

(Reuters) - U.S. auto sales are expected to increase by as much as 20 percent in August as better financing deals and an improving housing market encouraged consumers to replace aging cars and trucks.

New car sales up 20 per cent in August

(Reuters) - U.S. auto sales are expected to increase by as much as 20 percent in August as better financing deals and an improving housing market encouraged consumers to replace aging cars and trucks.