Retail sales dive to record low

Retail sales fell 2.8% in October to a seasonally adjusted rate of $363.7 billion, marking the largest decline since the data were first tracked by the Department of Commerce in 1992.
NOV 14, 2008
By  Bloomberg
Retail sales fell 2.8% in October to a seasonally adjusted rate of $363.7 billion, marking the largest decline since the data were first tracked by the Department of Commerce in 1992. Retail sales were down 4.1% from October 2007. Retail sales excluding automobiles fell by a record 2.2% in October, compared with a 0.5% decline in September. Consumer spending makes up makes up 70% of the gross domestic product. The gross domestic product fell 0.3% in the third quarter. Import prices slid 4.7% in October, marking the largest monthly decline since 1988, according to the Department of Labor. Despite the decline, the index had increased 6.7% since October 2007. Petroleum import prices fell 16.7% in October but still remained 13.1% higher on the year. Excluding petroleum, import prices fell 0.9% and were up 5%, compared with the year-ago period. Export prices fell 1.9% in October and were down 4.2% since October 2007. The price of agricultural exports fell 8.7% on the month, while prices of non-agricultural exports fell 1.2%.

Latest News

Married retirees could be in for an $18,100 Social Security cut by 2032, CRFB says
Married retirees could be in for an $18,100 Social Security cut by 2032, CRFB says

A new analysis finds long-running fiscal woes coupled with impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act stand to erode the major pillar for retirement income planning.

SEC bars New Jersey advisor after $9.9M fraud against Gold Star families
SEC bars New Jersey advisor after $9.9M fraud against Gold Star families

Caz Craffy, whom the Department of Justice hit with a 12-year prison term last year for defrauding grieving military families, has been officially exiled from the securities agency.

Navigating the great wealth transfer: Are advisors ready for both waves?
Navigating the great wealth transfer: Are advisors ready for both waves?

After years or decades spent building deep relationships with clients, experienced advisors' attention and intention must turn toward their spouses, children, and future generations.

UBS Financial loses another investor lawsuit involving Tesla stock
UBS Financial loses another investor lawsuit involving Tesla stock

The customer’s UBS financial advisor allegedly mishandled an options strategy called a collar, according to the client’s attorney.

Trump's one big beautiful bill reshapes charitable giving for donors and advisors
Trump's one big beautiful bill reshapes charitable giving for donors and advisors

An expansion to a 2017 TCJA provision, a permanent increase to the standard deduction, and additional incentives for non-itemizers add new twists to the donate-or-wait decision.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.