Retail Sales Sink 0.9% in May, Worse Than Expected
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for May showed consumer spending pulled back significantly last month, with headline sales sinking 0.9%. This marks the second straight monthly decline and the largest in over two years.
Weekly Economic Snapshot: Inflation Relief Meets Consumer Woes
Last week's economic data presented a mixed bag, arriving against a backdrop of an S&P 500 that trended upwards for the entire week, buoyed by positive developments in trade talks.
Retail Sales Inch Up 0.1% in April, Higher Than Expected
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for April showed consumer spending inched up last month, with head sales rising 0.1%. This comes on the heels of March's 1.7% surge in spending and was higher than the 0.0% forecast.
Weekly Economic Snapshot: Pre-Tariff Spending Spike Amid Fed Warning
Last week's economic narrative was dominated by a surge in retail sales as consumers seemingly bought ahead of tariffs while a volatile stock market experienced a sharp mid-week sell-off following a Federal Reserve warning on tariff uncertainty. While March saw a significant jump in consumer spending, this pre-tariff strength is unlikely to be sustained.
Online Sales Muted as Consumers Rush to Buy Cars and TVs Ahead of Tariffs
As earnings season kicked off last week, JPMorgan's CFO Jeremy Barnum said on the conference call with analysts that consumers had been front-loading their spending ahead of anticipated price increases from tariffs.
Retail Sales Surge 1.4% in March, Higher Than Expected
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for March showed a surge in consumer spending last month, with headline sales rising 1.4%. This is up from February's 0.2% monthly growth and is the largest monthly increase since January 2023.
IBUY: Retail Plays Face Tariffs And Worsening Consumer Sentiment
Evaluating Amplify Online Retail ETF as an investment option, focusing on its alignment with the EQM Online Retail Index and global online sales exposure. IBUY has been a mixed investment; my past "hold" rating has been partially vindicated as it has under-performed the broader market despite a small gain. I favor contrarian plays and IBUY's international exposure makes it interesting, but my current macro outlook cannot justify a buy here.
Weekly Economic Snapshot: Mixed Retail, Housing Volatility, & Fed's Cautious Outlook
Last week's economic landscape was marked by pockets of resilience amid growing concerns and heightened uncertainty. Retail sales offered a mixed bag, with overall growth falling short of expectations but key components suggesting continued consumer spending.
Retail Sales Rise 0.2% in February, Weaker Than Expected
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for February showed a moderate rebound last month, with headline sales rising 0.2%. Meanwhile, January's figure was revised downward to a 1.2% loss.
IBUY: Online Retail Sales Gain Momentum And Will Outperform Traditional Retail In 2025
The Amplify Online Retail ETF offers diversified exposure to online retail, with 78 holdings and a focus on U.S.-based companies. E-commerce sales trends remain strong, with significant growth in 2024, outpacing overall retail sales and achieving record market share during the holiday season. Despite a cautious consumer outlook due to rising interest rates and debt levels, online retail benefits from value-seeking behavior and convenience.
Amplify Online Retail ETF: Do Not Count On eCommerce Surging Anytime Soon
Amplify Online Retail ETF reflects digital consumer trends but shows stagnant AUM growth and negative net flows, prompting a Hold recommendation. Pandemic-driven growth has subsided, and current economic conditions, including inflation and tariffs, pose significant challenges to the fund's future performance. Despite global eCommerce growth projections, low GDP growth in advanced economies and high consumer credit levels undermine the potential for robust online retail expansion.
Weekly Economic Snapshot: Inflation Heats Up as Consumer Spending Cools
Economic indicators provide insight into the overall health and performance of the economy. They are closely watched by policymakers, advisors, investors, and businesses because they help them to make informed decisions about business strategies and financial markets.
