Another month and another retail sales report from the Census Bureau. It was a healthy leap of 1.7% and after adjusting for inflation is still 0.8%. We are still buying more stuff.
This is the 3rd straight monthly increase in buying of "stuff", so a trend has maybe set in... despite inflation.
The big winners would be in Gas Stations, Electronic Shopping and Mail Order Houses, Electronics & appliance stores, Miscellaneous store retailers, Building material & garden eq. & supplies dealers, and Department stores.
The stragglers would be Furniture & home furn. stores and Food & beverage stores (flat after adjusting for inflation).
Weaknesses would include Food services & drinking places, Clothing & clothing accessories, and Health & personal care stores.
Any thought of consumer buying slowing down and easing inflation, simply did not exist from this report.
Up next Wednesday, the 24th, will be the PCE, which is forecasted to 5.08% year over year and 0.7% for the month. Core PCE is forecasted as 4.09% year over year and 0.44% on the month.
I should note the CPI from the BLS was underestimated this last reading, but the PCE (BEA) monthly was overestimated on the last reading. I will attempt to elaborate on the 24th, as to what all that means to me.
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