Neils ChristensenNeils Christensen has a diploma in journalism from Lethbridge College and has more than a decade of reporting experience working for news organizations throughout Canada. His experiences include covering territorial and federal politics in Nunavut, Canada. He has worked exclusively within the financial sector since 2007, when he started with the Canadian Economic Press. Neils can be contacted at: 1 866 925 4826 ext. 1526 nchristensen at kitco.com @Neils_cShareDisclaimer: The views expressed ...

Consumer Confidence - US consumer confidence experienced the largest decline in seven months in November [1] - The decline is attributed to increasing concerns regarding the labor market outlook and the overall economy [1]

Key dates this week 🗓️Nov 25 ➡️ 🇺🇸 CB Consumer ConfidenceNov 26 ➡️ 🇺🇸 Gross Domestic Product QoQNov 27 ➡️ 🇩🇪 GfK Consumer ConfidenceWhich dates are you watching? 👀 ...

South Korea’s consumer confidence climbed to an eight-year high in November, supported by a trade agreement with the US that eased uncertainty over export prospects and by stronger-than-expected growth over the summer https://t.co/BPt4HFWSHB ...

Market Overview - The markets are expected to experience continued volatility as investors assess the Federal Reserve's potential actions amidst mixed economic indicators [2][3] - Current economic conditions show a slight increase in unemployment, solid economic growth, and worsening inflation [2] Consumer Confidence and Spending - There is an observed uptick in demand for consumer discretionary items such as RVs and boats, indicating strong consumer confidence [6][7] - Improved consumer confidence is expected to be reflected in upcoming retail sales, although apparel sales remain uncertain [7] - Anticipated stimulus checks and tax refunds in the first quarter are likely to boost consumer spending next year compared to this year [8] Industry Insights - Patrick Industries, a supplier in the motion industry, is expected to benefit from the increased demand in sectors like RVs and power sports [6] - The easing of tariff pressures, albeit slowly, may contribute positively to the industry outlook [8]

the comments from Susan Collins over the weekend. What impact do you see those having on the markets today. Obviously, we see the S&P and the NASDAQ futures in the green, at least right now, >> right.Well, we do think we're going to continue to see volatility this week like we saw last week um as investors digest the risk and the opportunities of what the Fed is going to do. And we're seeing crossurrens in the Fed as we have been seeing driven both by the lack of government data and where we stand right now ...

A closely-watched index of consumer confidence in the UK has fallen on every measure ahead of the Labour’s government’s budget next week, at which it is expected to raise taxes https://t.co/s1T2yKwN6L ...

Consumer confidence dips ahead of budget, ONS sticks with Wales and must-see theatre shows in London -- get briefed ahead of your morning calls with The London Rush https://t.co/LcolqZtHMt ...

UK consumer confidence tumbled in November, the British Retail Consortium said, as government hints about higher income tax in this month’s budget caused people to worry about the economy and their personal finances https://t.co/CeZbU6CJbK ...

Core Insights - Home Depot has revised its full fiscal 2025 outlook, indicating significant pressure on profitability despite a strategic shift towards B2B and wholesale markets [1][10] - The company's modest top-line growth is largely attributed to the acquisition of GMS Inc., suggesting that organic sales growth is stagnating and falling short of expectations [1][7] Financial Performance - Comparable sales for the quarter increased by only 0.2% globally and 0.1% in the U.S., indicating a lack of meaningful growth from existing stores [6][10] - The acquisition of GMS contributed approximately $900 million in sales over eight weeks, but organic growth was only $200 million, highlighting potential issues in the core business [7][8] Market Dynamics - Consumer uncertainty and ongoing pressures in the housing market are negatively impacting home improvement demand, as noted by the CEO [3][4] - The high-end Pro customer segment remains more resilient but is still affected by rising costs and project timelines, while average DIY consumers are reducing spending on large projects [9][11] Profitability Outlook - The company anticipates a decline in diluted EPS of approximately 6.0% from fiscal 2024, signaling that topline challenges are overwhelming cost-control efforts [10][11] - Despite acquiring $2.0 billion in new revenue, Home Depot is bracing for a 5% to 6% reduction in profitability, indicating potential margin compression [11][12] Strategic Positioning - Home Depot is currently focused on integrating GMS and optimizing operations for a low-growth environment, with leadership needing to demonstrate that current performance issues are market-driven rather than indicative of structural weaknesses [12][13] - The company is transitioning from aggressive growth strategies to a more cautious approach, preparing for an extended period of slow market conditions [13]