Weekly Chain Store Sales Up Again

November 12, 2002

By Tom Moeller

 · Chain store sales rose last week, according to the BTM-UBSW survey. The 0.5% rise was the third weekly gain in the last four weeks and followed a 1.1% gain in the prior week.

· So far in November, sales were even with the average sales level in October which was down 1.5% from September.

· During the last ten years there has been a 38% correlation between the year-to-year percent change in monthly chain store sales and the change in nonauto retail sales.  

 

  
BTM-UBSW (SA, 1977=100)

11/09/02

11/02/02

Y/Y

2001

2000

1999
Total Weekly Retail Chain Store Sales 402.0 399.9 2.7% 2.1% 3.4% 6.7%

 

US Dollar Down as Fed Eased, Commodity Prices Flat

November 12, 2002

By Tom Moeller

· The trade weighted value of the US dollar has fallen sharply this month on anticipation and news of Fed ease, plus a weak US economy. The trade weighted value of the US dollar fell 1.0% during both last week and the week prior.

· The dollar has now given back most of its gain earlier this year.

· Commodity prices have continued to move sideways recently. Declines in petroleum prices have been offset by moderate increases in the prices of textiles and metals.

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