Economic Overview - U.S. consumer prices increased by 0.3% in September 2025, slightly down from August's 0.4% gain and below the expected 0.4% growth [1] - Energy costs rose by 1.5%, driven by a 4.1% increase in gasoline prices, while food prices saw a 0.2% increase [1] - The core consumer price index, excluding food and energy, gained 0.2%, just below August's rate and slightly under the forecast of 0.3% growth [1] - The annual consumer price index recorded a rise of 3%, which was less than economists' expectations [1] Sector ETFs & Stocks to Gain Energy Sector - The VanEck Oil Services ETF (OIH) is highlighted as a potential investment, with revenues tied to energy prices, a significant component of inflation indices [3] - Monthly inflation for energy was 1.5% in September, with annual inflation at 2.8% [3] - Murphy USA (MUSA), a leading independent retailer of motor fuel and convenience merchandise, is noted as a good investment opportunity with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [4] Restaurant Sector - The AdvisorShares Restaurant ETF (EATZ) is actively managed and invests at least 80% of its net assets in companies deriving at least 50% of their revenues from the restaurant business [6] - The food-away-from-home index rose by 0.1% in September, with limited-service meals increasing by 0.2% and full-service meals remaining unchanged [5] - Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (RRGB), a full-service casual dining restaurant chain, is identified as a strong buy with a Zacks Rank of 1 [6] Healthcare Sector - The Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) includes companies from various healthcare industries and is based on the Health Care Select Sector Index [7] - The index for medical care services rose by 3.9% annually and 0.3% sequentially in September [7] - Universal Health Services (UHS), which operates acute care hospitals and other healthcare facilities, is mentioned as a buy with a Zacks Rank of 2 [8] Transportation Sector - The SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) tracks the S&P Transportation Select Industry Index and has a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 [9] - The transportation index increased by 0.3% sequentially and 2.5% year over year in September [9] - Delta Air Lines (DAL), a major player in the U.S. aviation market, is highlighted as a buy with a Zacks Rank of 2 [10]

Core Insights - U.S. retail sales increased by 0.6% in August 2025, matching the revised growth from July and exceeding expectations of 0.2% [1] - Sales excluding certain categories rose by 0.7%, surpassing the anticipated 0.4% [1] Winning Areas - **Online Retailers**: Nonstore retailers experienced a 2% sequential increase and a 10.1% year-over-year gain [3] - ProShares Online Retail ETF (ONLN) tracks online retailers and charges 58 bps in fees [3] - Amazon.com (AMZN) is a major player in e-commerce with a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [4] - **Clothing Stores**: Sales rose by 1% sequentially and 8.3% year over year in August 2025 [5] - SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) provides exposure to U.S. retail stocks, with apparel retail comprising about 21% of the fund and a fee of 35 bps [5] - Genesco (GCO) is a specialty retail company with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - **Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, & Books**: This segment saw a 0.8% sequential gain and a 4.7% year-over-year increase [6] - Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) and VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) are suitable for investment in this sector [6] - DICK'S Sporting Goods (DKS) operates as a sporting goods retailer with a Zacks Rank 3 [7] - **Food Services & Drinking Places**: Sales increased by 0.7% sequentially and 6.5% year over year [8] - AdvisorShares Restaurant ETF (EATZ) invests primarily in restaurant-related companies and charges 99 bps in fees [8] - BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) operates high-end casual dining restaurants and holds a Zacks Rank 1 [9]

Retail Sales Overview - U.S. retail sales increased by 0.1% in April following a revised 1.7% increase in March, contrary to economists' expectations of no change [1] - The March increase was influenced by consumers making purchases in anticipation of tariff announcements [1] Sector Performance - The largest increases in April were in food services and drinking places (1.2%), building material and garden equipment supplies (0.8%), furniture (0.3%), and electronics and appliances stores (0.3%) [2] - Sales excluding food services, auto dealers, building materials stores, and gasoline stations decreased by 0.2%, below the revised 0.5% gain in March and forecasts of a 0.3% rise [2] Winning Areas Food Services and Drinking Places - Sales in this sector rose by 1.2% sequentially in April and 7.8% year over year [4] - AdvisorShares Restaurant ETF (EATZ) focuses on companies deriving at least 50% of their revenue from the restaurant business [4] - BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) operates high-end casual dining restaurants and has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [5] Building Material & Garden Equipment & Supplies Dealers - This segment experienced a 0.8% sequential sales gain and a 3.2% year-over-year increase [6] - Broad-based retail ETFs like Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) and VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) are relevant for this sector [6] - Vulcan Materials (VMC) is the largest supplier of construction aggregates in the U.S. and has a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [7] Electronics & Appliance Stores - Sales in this category increased by 0.3% sequentially in April and 0.1% year over year [8] - The rise in electronics sales is expected to benefit semiconductor funds and stocks [8] - VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH) tracks companies involved in semiconductor production and charges 35 bps in fees [8] - Universal Electronics (UEIC) is a leader in universal control and sensing technologies for smart homes and has a Zacks Rank 3 [9]