Friday, March 12, 2010

Quick Notes for the Day - March 12

February Retail Sales Rise 0.3% - The Commerce Department estimated that retail sales rose 0.3% in February even with major snow storms during the month. Retail sales have now been higher in four of the past five months, and they are 3.9% higher versus 2009. Excluding autos and trucks (which fell 2.0%), retail sales increased 0.8% which was much higher than economists predicted.

Consumer Sentiment Falls in March - The Reuters/University of Michigan index of consumer sentiment fell to 72.5 in early March versus 73.6 in February. The major issue on the minds of consumers continued to be the labor market that has continued to show signs of improvement.

Obama to Tap Yellen for Fed Vice Chair: Source - Reuters - "President Barack Obama plans to nominate San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Janet Yellen, a respected policy dove, to be vice chairman of the central bank, a source familiar with the process said on Thursday."

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