Retail sales, housing woes boost rate cut talk
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Retail sales rose just 0.1 percent in February and a growing number of Americans fell behind on their mortgages late last year, according to data on Tuesday that raised concerns about the economy.
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Stocks extended their biggest rally in four years, buoyed by speculation that Federal Reserve interest rate cuts will help contain the housing slump and lead to profit growth.
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U.S. retail sales jumped sharply in  November as shoppers went on a spending spree that will  reinforce the Federal Reserve's view that the cooling housing  market has not hurt the rest of the economy.
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Wall Street advanced as investors awaited a report on sales of previously owned homes that might give the Federal Reserve more reason to cut interest rates.
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Retail sales posted a modest gain in August, helped by the biggest jump in auto sales in more than a year. But there are concerns that spending could falter as the steep slump in housing and financial market turbulence weigh on consumer confidence.
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Retail chains reported sales gains in May as warmer weather helped them rebound from a dismal April, but the results were weaker than a year ago, signaling to some that rising gas prices and a slowing housing market are taking their toll.
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A drop in energy costs pulled U.S. consumer prices down last month, but core inflation moved up modestly and housing starts surged, according to data on Wednesday that bolstered expectations for a steady diet of interest-rate rises.
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US retail sales rose a weaker-than-expected 0.3 percent in August, data showed Friday, suggesting US consumers are turning cautious in the face of housing and credit woes.
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Housing data showed that sales surged in April by the largest jump in 14 years, dampening hopes of an interest rate cut to stimulate the economy.
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Some investors appeared to be betting that more rate cuts would be needed after reports provided fresh evidence that consumer spending is slowing and confidence is ebbing.
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Retail sales rose a sluggish 0.1 percent in February amid unusually cold weather, and late mortgage payments and home foreclosures rose at the end of last year, according to reports that raised concerns about the economic outlook.
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Stocks rallied on Monday as investors snapped up shares of manufacturers and downtrodden banks after more weak housing data bolstered expectations the Federal Reserve will slash rates later this week.
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The nationâs big retail chains, a closely watched barometer of economic health, reported dreary December sales, which may stoke fears of a recessionary downtown.
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Wall Street recovered on hopes of a Fed rate cut, but still traded lower, cautious about Merrill Lynchâs credit-related losses and a sharp drop in home sales.
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US retail chains reported May sales gains as warmer weather helped them rebound from a dismal April, but results were weaker than a year ago, signaling to some that rising gas prices and a slowing housing market are taking their toll.
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Stocks retreated yesterday, as a jump in producer prices raised concerns about inflation and aggressive interest-rate increases from the Federal Reserve, while a sales report from Wal-Mart Stores prompted investors to sell shares of retailers.
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WASHINGTON &#151; Sales of new homes rose by 9.4 percent in August, the Commerce Department said yesterday, as mortgage interest rates remained at low enough levels to continue enticing buyers worried about future rate increases.