today's Data 03-12-2010 zt

the latest consumer sentiment report. The preliminary University of Michigan/Reuters consumer sentiment index moved to 72.5, from 73.6 in February. It had stood at 74.4 in January. Economists had expected the preliminary index, which will be revised later in the month, to stand at 73.8. The University of Michigan also reported its preliminary current conditions index came in at 80.8, from February's 81.8, while the preliminary expectations index hit 67.2, from 68.4.

This report comes after positive retail sales data, which was a reversal of expectations. The Commerce Department said that U.S. retail sales rose by 0.3% in February , while many economists expected a 0.3% decrease. Excluding the car sector, all other retail sales rose 0.8%, more than the 0.1% forecasted increase. The retail jump was boosted by soaring electronic store sales, despite blizzards that crippled the East Coast and a 2% dive in U.S. car and parts sales in February.


(mixed, some is good, some is bad, over all is not that bad)