Posted on 05/11/2006 8:48:28 AM PDT by pissant
Consumers, spurred by a late Easter and warmer than usual weather, pushed retail sales up by a solid amount in April although soaring gasoline prices kept the increase below expectations.
The Commerce Department reported that retail sales increased 0.5 percent in April following a 0.6 percent advance in March. The slight slowdown was seen as an indication that the big jump in gasoline prices since early March was depressing demand for other consumer products.
Wall Street analysts had been forecasting a more robust 0.8 percent advance in retail sales, a forecast that was based on reports of strong demand during the month at big nationwide retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp.
Separately, the Labor Department reported that the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits totaled 324,000 last week, down by 1,000 from the previous week. That was less of an improvement than private economists had been expecting but the figure was influenced by some one-time technical factors, government analysts said.
In other economic news, businesses boosted their inventories held on shelves and backlots by 0.7 percent in March. It was the largest gain in 15 months and followed a much smaller 0.1 percent rise in February. The increase was led by a 1 percent rise in stockpiles held by retailers. Total business sales for retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers rose by 0.7 percent in March after having fallen by 0.6 percent in February.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Bush's fault.
Why do I have the feeling that the govt sees us only as so many consumers?
susie
"Below expectations" Whose expectations? They throw this line in on EVERY story about the Economy? Whose expectation are so completely out of control to think the numbers should be BETTER then this?
Indeed it is
Chattle?
Root cause of this: I'm a moron.
Yet, the MSM was perfectly willing to showcase scores of economists predicting an economic slowdown, inflation, and other ills a few months back. I guess those aren't the same ones they checked for "expectations" for this article.
Maybe not quite the same thing. But, what on earth would they do if we suddenly decided we didnt' need a bunch of electronic stuff, massive amounts of entertainment, more clothes, excess food, stupid niknaks etc? I suppose the economy would collapse.
susie
That's the beauty of supply and demand. Each buys what he wants and marketers try to get you to buy the latest gadget. Myself, I prefer to support the beer industry. ;o)
While the Dems may be thrilled, the market is not. DOW is down 100 pts already.
Well, considering most people I know, libs and conservatives alike, have more work than they can handle, I think the economy will work to the GOPs favor this November. Predictions of a Dem takeover are ridiculous.
Nuttin but some profit taking.
Peole spending money is what drives an economy. That's why consumer confidence is probably the most important economic statistic.
Like a headline said about the stock market, THE POLL THAT MATTERS.
LOL
I've finally hit a point in my life where I don't need more stuff...well, ok, more stuff would be fine but I need a bigger house to store my stuff!
susie
I understand that. I just think about the impact if everyone woke up one day and thought...hmmm...I just don't need to spend virtually every dime I get on *stuff*. I suppose the economy would crate (woudln't it?). So, our spendthrift habits are to be encouraged. Or, am I looking at this wrong?
susie
The economy would take a serious dump, at least in the short term. Eventually of course we'd still wind up spending the money, just on other things (home improvement, personal improvement, technological advancement) and then that section of the economy would climb. I don't know if they're necessarily to be encouraged because over spending eventually causes problems, but a steady stream of spending makes the world go round.
Yeah.
susie
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