January Retail Sales Not Enough to Thrill Stock Market
In January, retail sales rose .4% to $401.4 billion, according to today's Commerce Department report. This was a healthy 5.8% increase over last year. However, the investors had expected a .8% increase. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped .3% as a result.
Just for Fun, Check Out #FedValentines on Twitter
The fastest-growing hash-tag on Twitter is fun, romantic and educational! It's a series of 120-word (or less) tweets imagining what the Federal Reserve would write as a Valentine.
Here are some of the best:
- I'd like to borrow you overnight and then hold you to maturity (Alan Beattie)
- You had me at QE1. (Planet Money)
- My love is elastic, my commitment too big to fail. (San Francisco Fed)
- Roses are red, violets are blue, thank you for Twist and, of course, QE2! (Downtown Josh Brown)
- Roses are red. Violets are pink. Don't listen to goldbugs. No one cares what they think. (Ted Gayer)
- You make me irrationally exuberant. (Prajwal Ciryam)
Student Loans Driving Credit Boom
The Federal government's student loan program is one of the country's biggest lenders, according to the Federal Reserve's Consumer Credit report. In December, the government held $425 billion in school loans, less than the total debt held by commercial banks or finance companies, but more than credit unions or savings and loans. This is up dramatically from the $98 billion it held in 2007. That means more Americans can improve their education, reducing income inequality -- at least for them!
Happy Valentines Day -- 2012 Setting New Records in Love
In 2012, Valentine's Day is expected to break previous records in retail spending. This year, Valentine's Day will add a whopping $17.6 billion to the economy, according to the National Retail Federation. People are feeling more confident, thanks to stronger job growth. In fact, they plan to spend 8.5% more than last year, at $126 each.
They're Baaack! 243,000 Jobs Created Last Month
Yes, you heard right. The economy added a welcome 243,000 jobs in January, driving the unemployment rate down to 8.3%. Who's hiring? Professional and business services, hospitality, and manufacturing, according to the most recent Employment Report.
Southwest 737 Orders Boost Durable Goods Report
Manufacturers' orders for durable goods took off in December, to $214.5 billion, according to the latest Census Bureau report. This was 2.3% higher than in November, and an astounding 10% higher than last year. The report was boosted by orders for new airplanes. In fact, Boeing reported its largest order ever -- Southwest Airlines ordered 150 737-MAX fuel efficient planes and 58 Next Generation 737s, for a total price of $19 billion.
Economy Grew at Fastest Rate in 1.5 Years
Last year ended on an optimistic note, as GDP growth inched up to 2.8% in the fourth quarter (October-December). This was the best quarter in a year and a half, and is in the healthy range of 2-3%. However, growth for the year was only 1.7%, according to the BEA report. Neither growth rate is enough to put much of a dent in the nation's 8.5% unemployment rate.
Foreclosures Drop in 2011, Will Rebound in 2012
In 2011, foreclosures fell to the lowest level since the recession. "Only" 1.9 million homes received foreclosure filings last year, compared to more than 2.7 million each in 2010 and 2009. According to foreclosures may rise 25% in 2012, as banks work through the shadow inventory they accumulated during the "robo-signing" investigation. (Source: Bloomberg, "Home Seizures May Jump 25% This Year as U.S. Foreclosures Resume," January 17, 2012)
No Inflation Is Good Inflation
The Consumer Price Index report for December was exactly zero -- just like it was in November. This means that price decreases in gas, oil and automobiles offset slight prices increases in everything else during the month.
December Retail Sales Reports Mixed
Holiday shopping sales didn't come in as merry as stores would have liked. The Commerce Department reported that December's retail sales report was $400.6 billion, up barely .1% from November. Heavy discounting probably ate into revenues at electronics and appliance stores, where sales dropped 3.9%. (Source: U.S. Commerce Dept, "U.S. Retail Sales," January 15, 2012