Retail Sales in U.S. Rose Less Than Forecast

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) Sales (RSTAMOM) at U.S. retailers in December rose less than forecast, restrained by cheaper fuel prices and holiday discounting that helped hold down the value of goods sold.

The 0.1 percent gain followed a 0.4 percent advance in November that was more than initially reported, Commerce Department figures showed today. Economists forecast a 0.3 percent December rise, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. Purchases excluding automobiles fell 0.2 percent.

Retailers like Macy’s Inc. (M) resorted to discounting and longer store hours to ensure consumers shopped for holiday gifts amid slower wage gains and lower property values. The figures show limited spending momentum at the end of the fourth quarter, and may raise the odds purchases will cool early this year.

“The holiday shopping season wasn’t overwhelming in strength,” Michael Moran, chief economist at Daiwa Capital Markets America Inc. in New York, said before the report. “It was respectable but not robust. The consumer will take a breather in the first quarter.” .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-12/retail-sales-in-u-s-rose-0-1-in-december-less-than-forecast.html

[hang a left]

1. Well tHere is a shocker!

Cracked me up when on Saturday following black Friday, the MSM was touting the massive increase in shopping. biggest black friday "eva". My son actually mentioned this to me. I told him it was bs. The accountants and pencil pushers would not be back at work until Monday, and there was no way of knowing.

I hate the way that they lie. hate it, hate it, hate it!

[dmallind]

2. You noticed the November figures revised upward sharply, right?

So basically what we have is a frontloaded Xmas season with November better and December worse than initially projected, while both showed modest growth.

[hang a left]

3. You aren't wagering anything of value on

These made up, pulled out of someone's butt statistics are you? Take a lesson from Wall Street and gamble with other people's money.

[dmallind]

4. I made 23% last year. You?

[hang a left]

5. Sure ya did.

Give it up..what stocks were you invested in?
Or we're you just shorting bank stocks?

[dmallind]

6. You really want to know? Admit you're wrong if I prove it?

Thought not. Have screen shots if you will.........