Despite some growing consumer concerns, some signs of strength in CNBC's latest retail monitor report. For that, we'll turn to Steve Leeman this morning. Hi, Steve.Hey, Car. Yeah, consumer spending bounced back in October after a pretty sharp fall in September with gains in the CNBC NRF retail monitor across most sectors, adding up to a strong start for retail in the fourth quarter. That could be good for the holiday season.The retail monitor, we get actual credit card spending data from Affinity Solutions. ...

Core Insights - Consumer spending rebounded in October after a decline in September, indicating a strong start for the retail sector in Q4 [2][6] - The retail monitor, based on credit card spending data, showed a 0.6% increase in retail sales excluding auto and gas, compared to a 0.7% decline in September [2][3] - Year-over-year growth rates for core retail sales decreased slightly, with a drop from 5.4% to 5% [3] Sector Performance - Most retail sectors experienced growth, with digital products leading at a 2% increase, followed by clothing and accessories at 1.4% [4] - Restaurants, beverages, and health and personal care sectors also performed well, while building and garden supplies saw a decline of 0.8% [5] Economic Context - Consumer spending remains robust, supported by wage growth exceeding inflation, low unemployment rates, and positive wealth effects from strong stock market performance [6] - Despite mixed economic data, October's performance is seen as a positive indicator for the upcoming holiday season, although historical correlations between October gains and holiday sales are weak [6] Challenges Ahead - Key concerns for the retail sector include the impact of goods inflation, tariffs, and early signs of a cooling job market on holiday shopping [7] - The ongoing government shutdown has affected the release of critical economic data, creating uncertainty about the accuracy and timeliness of upcoming reports [9][10]

By Prerna Bedi and Anuja Bharat Mistry (Reuters) -Elf Beauty forecast annual sales and profit below Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, as the cosmetics-maker grapples with higher tariff costs and cautious consumer spending, sending its shares tumbling 26% in extended trading. The company, which provided its fiscal 2026 forecast after pulling it in May, also missed expectations for second quarter sales. Elf Beauty expects more than $50 million in annual costs from higher U.S. tariffs on imports in fisca ...

Core Insights - McDonald's experienced a 3.6% increase in same-store sales for Q3, slightly surpassing Wall Street's forecast of 3.5% [1] - The return of Snack Wraps in July significantly boosted U.S. store traffic by 15% on their release day [2] - Q3 revenue rose 3% to $7.08 billion, aligning with Wall Street expectations [3] Financial Performance - Net income increased by 1% to $2.28 billion, with adjusted earnings per share at $3.22, falling short of the $3.33 forecast by analysts [4] - Increased spending on marketing and promotions contributed to the earnings miss, as consumer perception of value becomes critical [5] Competitive Landscape - While McDonald's faced challenges, Taco Bell reported a 7% increase in same-store sales, indicating a strong performance driven by value items [6] - The overall trend shows younger consumers are becoming more cautious with spending, impacting higher-priced fast casual chains [5][6]

Joining me now is Phil Green, chairman and CEO of Cullen Frost Bankers. Thank you so much for joining us here. You know, I understand you're located in Texas and sometimes Texas can sort of operate in different in different ways than different areas of the country.So, can you explain to us with real estate, of course, we know is very local. What is going on when it comes to mortgage lending for you all. >> Well, thanks for having me, Courtney.It's been it's great to be with you here today. You know, it's in ...

American consumers are seeing their credit scores tumble slightly as they take on more debt and struggle with rising costs. In fact, Americans’ average credit score fell to 715, down two points year over year, according to the latest FICO Score Credit Insights study. The dip was primarily driven by spikes in delinquencies on auto loans, which jumped 24% since 2021, and credit cards, up 48% over the same time period. Additionally, credit utilization rates — the percentage of available credit a consumer us ...

Core Insights - The S&P 500 has remained stable during the early part of the Q3 earnings season, but there is significant underlying volatility, particularly among small- and mid-cap stocks that are more sensitive to declining consumer spending [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The S&P 500 has managed to stay afloat despite high volatility [1] - Small- and mid-cap stocks are experiencing direct exposure to weaker consumer spending, indicating potential challenges ahead [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - Gary Alexander has extensive experience in covering technology companies and has worked in Silicon Valley, providing insights into current industry trends [1] - He has been a contributor to Seeking Alpha since 2017 and has been featured in various web publications [1]

Chipotle shares dipped more than 15% yesterday after the burrito restaurant wrapped up its latest quarter with flat same-store sales and falling traffic. The fast-casual chain also slashed its annual sales guidance for the third quarter in a row. TikTokers using “hacks” to get an extra scoop of beans aren’t to blame for Chipotle losing its line. Instead, CEO Scott Boatwright said the reason’s simple: People aren’t eating out as much, let alone splurging for extra guac. SUBSCRIBE:  Receive more of our free ...

Bank of America Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan cautioned that while the American consumer remains a powerful force keeping the economy afloat, the middle class is beginning to feel the strain. Joining "Mornings with Maria" on Tuesday, Moynihan shared his outlook on the average U.S. consumer and warned the economy could slow down amid the ongoing government shutdown."You're still seeing growth among median income households, at up to … 75,000, 100,000. They're still growing, but they're growing at a slower ...

Justin Sullivan / Getty Images With Friday's drop, shares of Hoka maker Deckers have lost more than half of their value in 2025 Key Takeaways Deckers Outdoor shares took a hit Friday after executives said the Hoka maker expects consumers could pull back in the face of higher tariffs and prices. Its current-quarter outlook missed analysts' estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. Deckers Outdoor (DECK) shares plunged Friday after the shoe and apparel maker gave a weaker-than-expected outlook, saying it s ...