What is going on with the US consumer right now. We just learned the unemployment rate climbed to 4.6% in November. That's the highest level in more than four years as that long delayed government report shows the economy added just to 64,000 jobs.Added to fresh data talking about retail sales being kind of flattish to decelerating and questions are mounting about how resilient consumer spending really is. Michelle Meyer can answer all of this for us. She joins us from Mastercard to break down these trends. ...

October's Advance Retail Sales Report from the Census Bureau revealed a slowdown in consumer spending. Headline sales were flat, missing the projected 0.1% monthly growth. This is down from September's 0.1% growth and ends the four-month streak of increases in headline sales. For an inflation-adjusted perspective on retail sales, take a look at our Real Retail Sales commentary. Core Retail Sales Core sales (ex Autos) were up 0.4% in October. This is up from September's 0.1% reading and was higher than the e ...

NEW YORK (AP) — Sales at U.S. retailers and restaurants were unchanged in October from September as consumers moderated their spending amid worries about higher prices and other economic uncertainties after splurging over the summer. But a big factor dragging down the figure was a 1.6% drop in sales at motor vehicles and auto parts dealerships, hurt by the expiration of federal government subsidies that sliced demand for battery-powered electric cars. Excluding that category, retail sales rose 0.4%, the C ...

[music] A little over a month ago, we got a really impressive quarter from a firm holdings. The buy now pay later powerhouse. This guy's posted a 12-cent earnings beat off an 11centent basis with much higher than expected revenue.The stock shot up more than 11% the next day, reaching a high of $79 and change a couple days later. Since then though, a firm has gradually drifted lower because of concerns about the state of the consumer to the point where it's now back to $65 and change. trading like that great ...

China’s economic momentum slowed broadly in November, with a marked weakening in consumer spending, adding pressure on Beijing to stabilize household and business demand in the world’s second-largest economy https://t.co/esvBVd35LV ...

Time now for the CNBC All-America Economic Survey holiday edition. For the past 19 years, we have tracked how much shoppers are spending for Christmas and most importantly this year. What is behind the spending decisions.Senior economics reporter Steve Leeman has the details, joins us here on set. Steve, >> thank you Melissa. Uh this looks to be the Christmas where inflation is the red-nosed reindeer that is leading shopping decisions among American consumers in a way we have not seen before.The CNBC All-Am ...

Market Outlook - Deutsche Bank projects the S&P 500 to reach 7500 by the end of 2026, anticipating US stocks to slightly outperform international stocks and a strengthening dollar [1] - The dollar is expected to stabilize, avoiding the significant weakness seen in the first half of 2025 [2][3] - While the dollar experienced weakness in 2025, it's still up 7% since 2021, representing an annualized increase of around 2% [5] - Deutsche Bank's 12-month outlook includes dollar yen at 145 [5] Economic Factors - The strength of the US economy and double-digit equity market returns are expected to attract fund flows, supporting the dollar [4] - A potential 20% year-over-year increase in tax refunds in the first half of the year could stimulate spending and market activity [9] - Non-residential fixed asset investment, particularly in AI data centers, is driving GDP growth [12] Geopolitical Considerations - Geopolitical risks, especially concerning oil, remain a factor to monitor, although the situation is perceived as potentially more stable in 2026 compared to 2025 [6] Political and Policy Impact - Midterm election years typically exhibit a pattern of positive market performance in the first and fourth quarters, with a lull in the second and third quarters [8] - The market's reaction to the Trump administration and GOP policies, particularly regarding the "K-shaped economy," will be crucial [7][11]

Market Outlook - Deutsche Bank projects the S&P 500 to reach a price target of 7500 by the end of 2026, anticipating the US market to slightly outperform international stocks and a stabilization of the dollar [1][4]. Dollar Performance - The dollar experienced significant weakness in 2025 but is expected to stabilize in 2026, with a forecast of the dollar at 115 and dollar-yen at 145 over the next 12 months [5][4]. - The dollar's performance is influenced by the strength of the US economy, which is generating double-digit returns in equity markets, attracting fund flows [4][5]. Geopolitical Factors - Geopolitical conditions are expected to be more stable in 2026 compared to 2025, with fewer crises affecting oil markets, which are sensitive to political developments [6][4]. Political Influence on Markets - The midterm election year is anticipated to create a unique market narrative, with positive performance in the first and fourth quarters, but potential sideways movement in the second and third quarters [8][7]. - Tax incentives and a projected 20% year-over-year increase in tax refunds in the first half of the year could stimulate consumer spending and market activity [9][10]. Economic Drivers - The current economic growth is primarily driven by non-residential fixed asset investments, particularly in AI data centers, but there is a need for consumer spending to contribute significantly to GDP growth [12][11].

November holiday shopping getting off to a lackluster start according to the CNBC NRF retail monitor monitor. But the results it battled some calendar issues that hold out hope that a season saving spending rush could come in December. Let's take a look at the data.Retail sales powered by real credit card spending data that we get from Affinity Solutions rising just.12. And that's Xauto and gas and what we call the core that takes out restaurants was flat. Both come off decent gains in October.year-over-yea ...

Core Viewpoint - Campbell's shares have reached a 16-year low, trading at $28.58, a decline of nearly 7% since the '3D printed meat' controversy [1][2] Stock Performance - The ongoing slump has erased all gains made over the past four years, with the stock trading well below its 2022 and 2023 averages [2] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - DA Davidson lowered Campbell's stock price target from $32 to $30 while maintaining a "Neutral" rating, citing weakness in consumer spending and competition in the food sector [5] - Deutsche Bank adjusted its price target to $31 from $33, keeping a "Hold" rating, while RBC Capital cut its target from $35 to $30 with a "Sector Perform" rating [6] - Bernstein lowered its target from $39 to $33 but maintained a "Buy" rating, believing the company's products align with consumer trends [8] - Stifel Nicolaus and Wells Fargo both lowered their price outlooks to $30, opting for a "Hold" rating [9] Market Sentiment - The average stock price target for Campbell's over the next 12 months has an upside potential of 8.47%, sitting at $31.13 [12] - Overall, the sentiment among analysts is mixed, with ten "Hold" ratings, three "Sell" ratings, and only two "Buy" ratings from Bernstein and Stephens [10]