Coelacanth

Weak Retail Sales Don't Necessarily Follow Weak Job Growth

Tough call.

I think the retail number is going to show more of what we've been seeing; that given the circumstances retail has kept up better than many expected but consumers are clearly strapped.

It barely got noticed last week when non-mortgage related consumer debt grew to $15.3 billion in March from $5.2 billion in February. A better than consensus number wouldn't surprise me but it'll mask

As Confidence Drops, Americans Shop Cheap

If Friday's German wholesale price indexes were any indication it appears Trichet & Co. are right to be concerned about inflation. The EUR/GBP cross certainly seemed to think so. LOL.

As far as American consumers are concerned.....it appears they're taking the expression "shop until you drop" literally.