Retail Sales Tepid, Inflation at 40-Year Low

[steve2470]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales rebounded in July but showed hints of lingering economic softness underscored by separate figures indicating underlying inflation pressures stuck at their lowest level since the 1960s.

Sales climbed 0.4 percent last month following a revised 0.3 percent drop in June, the Commerce Department said on Friday, below forecasts for a 0.5 percent gain.

However, the rise were concentrated in vehicle and gasoline sales, suggesting momentum in other parts of the economy remains tame.

After emerging from its longest slump since the Great Depression, the U.S. economy has slowed in recent months, raising fears of a renewed downturn

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11392515

[MilesColtrane]

1. "However, the rise were concentrated in vehicle and gasoline sales"

Do news web sites not have editors, or are reporters just getting stupider?

[hayu_lol]

2. No one in power on either side of the fence is aware of the...

fact that people out of work, the underemployed, those losing their homes, and all the other facets of the dreadful economy we are all faced with cannot buy 'things.' We continue to allow our factories to move offshore and pay the dollars to others.

If we had money in our jeans, the economy would recover. Ain't gonna happen with the 'experts' we have.

[ixion]

3. "hints of lingering economic softness"

Okay, well, that is an understatement of epic proportions.

[closeupready]

4. This is such BULLSHIT. A friend with a rent-controlled apt. said she recently got an increase of 4%

in her rent for the next two-year lease (or maybe it was even 4.5%). Electricity rates are going THROUGH THE FUCKING ROOF. State officials are raising taxes on all kinds of things to make up for declining revenues.

[DeSwiss]

5. K&R

Here's the bulk of that increase:

(From the article) - "Higher energy costs did boost U.S. consumer prices by 0.3 percent, the first rise in four months."

- Raising prices is one way to get people to spend more.....

[greiner3]

6. There is little equity left in private citizen's homes;

Taking out a second or third mortgage kept this economy going for decades. All of a sudden there is not enough home equity to sustain that part of the economic engine any more. On the bright side, US consumers are not as burdened by debt now.

[madrchsod]

7. i need about 10,000 to rebuild my home to be energy efficient...

and that is never going to happen. other than my home i have`t made any major purchases in the last 10 years.