U.S. July Retail Sales Increase 0.7%; Ex-Autos Rise0.2%(Predicted was 1.2%

[papau]

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aGqhvGDzOynY&refer=us

U.S. July Retail Sales Increase 0.7%; Ex-Autos Rise 0.2%
Aug. 12 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. retail sales rose 0.7 percent in July after a decrease in June that was less than initially reported, government figures showed. Purchases increased last month at furniture stores, while incentives prompted more people to buy new cars and trucks.

The rise, which also reflected an increase in spending at department stores and sporting goods outlets, followed a revised 0.5 percent drop in June, the Commerce Department said in Washington. June was previously reported as falling 1.1 percent. Excluding vehicles and parts, sales rose 0.2 percent after rising 0.3 percent a month earlier.

Auto sales increased after the slowest pace in six years as General Motors Corp. and other carmakers boosted discounts. Retailers said same-store sales rose in July. Increases in purchases may help reassure businesses that demand is strong enough to help the economy accelerate, economists said.


So - Retail sales up 0.7% in July - Not quite up to the predictions - as posted on Bloomberg -Retail Sales Probably Increased 1.2 Percent in July, Led by Auto Purchases, Sales at U.S. retailers probably rebounded in July from the biggest decline since February 2003 as incentives from automakers lured buyers, a survey of economists showed ahead of a government report today

[nodictators]

1. If a Dem were in the WH, they'd call it "stagflation"

Except for the wealthy folks, the consumers are not spending much.

And they, collectively, are smart. We still have a 45% risk of 4 more years of HELL with a second Bush term.

When Kerry is elected on Nov. 2, as I hope he will be, we can all start spending again.

[papau]

2. True - 4 years of stagflation and deficits for an increased birth tax

and our media lets Bush say "turned the corner" without a media comment about how light on facts that report on a corner turn actually is.