Archive - Apr 14, 2009 - Story

A "shocking" drop in US retail sales was announced this morning and is starting to inspire doubt that perhaps the recession/depression may not quite be over yet. Looking through the numbers, there aren't very many big surprises with auto and electronics being hurt the most on a percentage basis, and general drops across the board.

Ok, unique snowflakes. Time to tear this apart... Judging by how many readers posted comments on the prior GS post and sent me emails (I wish I could analyze every angle), there should be enough brainpower here to fully digest the "one-time, non recurring, 4 month monster quarter." In the meantime, GS is finalizing the terms of its follow on: $123/share price, to be completed before market open.

One thing that caught my eye off the bat from the Q&A:

• Where is the inflation the Fed is so worried about: PPI at -1.2%, below estimate of 0.0% (Bloomberg)
• And as for the consumer spending spree... that's not so hot either (Bloomberg)
• When China's property prices drop in half, who bails them out?