Highlights
November's chain-store reports are net positive for the economic outlook. November started off slow, hurt by warm weather, which cut demand for seasonal goods, and by consumer anticipation ahead of Black Friday discounts. The Thanksgiving weekend proved to be very positive for many chains -- momentum that points to month-to-month improvement this month. Chain stores report their results in year-on-year terms, and a look back at last year shows that November had a higher base than October (remember October and September were hit by the credit panic). So even though sales rates were a bit weaker, November's ex-auto ex-gas reading looks to be about flat. Auto sales, based on Tuesday's unit-sale data, look to be strong while sales at gas stations will get a boost from higher prices and favorable seasonal adjustments. All in all, the retail outlook is favorable in what may be confirmation of improvement underway in the jobs market.

2009 Release Schedule

Released On: 1/8 2/5 3/5 4/9 5/7 6/4 7/9 8/6 9/3 10/8 11/5 12/3 Released For: Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov