Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : The Epic American Credit and Bond Bubble Laboratory -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mannie who wrote (8552)	2/24/2004 11:11:40 AM
From: Mannie	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 110194

Feb. Consumer Confidence Slumps Tue February 24, 2004 10:33 AM ET (Page 2 of 2) The International Council of Shopping Centers and investment firm UBS issued a joint report saying sales at U.S. chain stores dipped 0.2 percent in the week to Feb. 21, although on a year-on-year comparison, sales accelerated to their best level in nearly five years. Last year at this time U.S. consumers tightened their purse strings as war in Iraq loomed, which is a factor contributing to the favorable comparisons. However, a second report from research group Redbook said the Presidents Day holiday helped lift U.S. chain store sales, especially for department stores, by 5.6 percent on a year-over-year basis for the week to Feb. 21. February sales were up 1 percent compared with January, Redbook said. Earlier this month, the University of Michigan's preliminary February consumer sentiment survey fell sharply as American attitudes toward the economy turned cautious, most likely because of the paltry rate of job creation. The Michigan report was consistent with a drop in a consumer sentiment survey issued on Feb. 10 by Investor's Business Daily. reuters.com