US December retail sales -1.1% vs. -0.8% expected

• Prior was -0.6%
• Ex autos -1.1% vs -0.4% expected
• Prior ex autos -0.2%
• Control group -0.7% vs -0.3% expected
• Prior control group -0.2%
• Ex autos and gas -0.7% vs -0.2% prior
• Gasoline stations % m/m vs -0.1% prior
• Electronics and appliance stores -1.1% vs -1.5% m/m prior
• Furniture stores -2.5% vs -2.6% m/m prior
• Restaurants 0.0% vs +0.9% m/m prior

This is a disappointing reading but I wonder if the market shrugs it off because of the terrible weather around Boxing Day. That said, there is some evidence the consumer isn't holding up.

In terms of the market, bad news is good news for equities Equities Equities can be defined as stocks or shares in a company that investors can buy or sell. For example, when you buy a stock, you are purchasing equity, thereby becoming a partial owner of shares in a specific company or fund.Equities do not pay a fixed interest rate, and as such are not considered guaranteed income. Consequently, equity markets are often associated with risk.When a company issues bonds, it’s taking loans from buyers. When a company offers shares, on the other hand, it’s selling p Equities can be defined as stocks or shares in a company that investors can buy or sell. For example, when you buy a stock, you are purchasing equity, thereby becoming a partial owner of shares in a specific company or fund.Equities do not pay a fixed interest rate, and as such are not considered guaranteed income. Consequently, equity markets are often associated with risk.When a company issues bonds, it’s taking loans from buyers. When a company offers shares, on the other hand, it’s selling p Read this Term with futures Futures Futures or a futures contract represents a legal agreement to buy or sell a security or asset at a predetermined price at a specified time in the future. Of note, the parties are not known to each other.These transactions usually involve commodities or other securities involving the buying and selling for a forward or predetermined price.Futures also adhere to a delivery date, which specifies the date of delivery and payment. Relative to other forms of investing futures are much more complex, as Futures or a futures contract represents a legal agreement to buy or sell a security or asset at a predetermined price at a specified time in the future. Of note, the parties are not known to each other.These transactions usually involve commodities or other securities involving the buying and selling for a forward or predetermined price.Futures also adhere to a delivery date, which specifies the date of delivery and payment. Relative to other forms of investing futures are much more complex, as Read this Term bumping up on this. However bad news is bad news for the US dollar and it's at the lows of the day.