Consumer Spending & Economic Outlook - Consumer spending data for June is crucial, with expectations of a soft patch, already evident in retail sales data [1] - Service sector spending, including airlines, hotels, and restaurants, also shows signs of weakness [2] - Demand was pulled forward in anticipation of tariffs, and price increases are impacting consumer spending [3] - There's a bifurcation in consumer behavior, with higher-end consumers and businesses faring better than lower-end consumers who are squeezed by tariffs [5][6][7] Trade & Tariffs - American protectionism is damaging the global economy, potentially reaching a $2 trillion hit by the end of 2027 relative to the pre-trade war path [8][9] - The effective tariff rate is around 17%, the highest since the 1930s, acting as a headwind to global growth [10] - Tariffs are a regressive tax on consumers [7] Capital Spending & Tax Legislation - Tax legislation provides significant accelerated depreciation for capital spending, potentially boosting corporate cash flow [11] - Companies like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and United Rental have indicated that the tax legislation supports their cash flow [12] - Capital spending is underappreciated for its role in creating productivity, profitability, and lifting potential GDP growth [13] - Full CapEx depreciation for 80% of CapEx will be a significant boost to cash flow [11] Monetary Policy & Labor Market - The Fed may not need to cut rates further, as previous rate cuts and tax measures are already providing stimulus [23][24][25] - Improvement in corporate profits into 2026 is expected to lead to a stronger labor market [20] - Capital spending improves profitability through productivity, incentivizing spending on jobs and wages [17]

With high inflation such a recent memory, American consumers angrily insist that everything is already too expensive. Households have little tolerance for paying even higher prices. The opposite may be true of foreign companies https://t.co/DcWynwg5W1 ...

With high inflation such a recent memory, American consumers angrily insist that everything is already too expensive. Households have little tolerance for paying even higher prices. The opposite may be true of foreign companies https://t.co/UrvXKAxqVA ...

S&P and NASDAQ hitting fresh intraday highs today. So, how far can this record setting rally run. Joining me now post 9 is Ed Yardi of Yardeni Research.Nice to see you. >> My pleasure. >> Um, I mean, this thing just keeps going and going and going.Is it going to continue to go. >> It's a slow motion uh meltup. >> It doesn't feel that slow anymore.>> Well, you know, day by on a day dayby-day basis, but it's adding up to substantial gains clearly. And I think the market is coming around to a view I've had for ...

Canadian retail sales are flashing a warning sign of weaker spending by consumers who may be increasingly worried about rising prices and their job prospects https://t.co/0jw3dhNtLM ...

Credit Card Giant Synchrony's Earnings Show U.S. Consumer “In Pretty Good Shape”–As Long As Inflation Doesn't Spikehttps://t.co/9rY8X5BICZ https://t.co/4Z5GGqEgp7 ...

Analyst's Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or a ...

Argentina’s economy contracted in May for the third time this year as previous wage declines and rising unemployment likely put pressure on consumer spending https://t.co/BuHl0vs8TB ...

Industry Trend - China is investing in Western theme parks to stimulate spending [1]

We are getting a market flash on American Express. For that, we'll turn to Hugh Son. Just talked to the CFO.Morning, Hugh. >> That's right, Carl. So, AMX CEO Christoff Layak telling me that their customers have been quote amazingly resilient in the second quarter.Now, as a reminder, the company topped estimates for profit and revenue on a 20% jump in card fees. So, it's been no secret that affluent Americans haven't slowed down their spending, and that remains the case. There are, however, interesting trend ...