The November retail sales report wasn’t good. It shows the need for additional stimulus. Many will criticize the $600 checks and the 11 weeks of $300 in unemployment insurance, but it will have a significant impact on spending to start the year. Of course, many want more money, but that’s not up to us. We just play the hand we are dealt.
The checks probably won’t impact December retail sales, so another weak report is coming since there have been more shutdowns and initial claims have increased (although if they go out early next week that would bump up results in December). It’s notable that stock investors are ignoring the weakness in consumer spending as the S&P retail ETF is up 27% since October 30