The economy has sunk deeper into more economic
problems from credit and financial crises as the Down Jones
industrial dropped as much as 733 points on worries over retail
sales. The government's report that retail sales plunged in
September by 1.2 percent, almost double the 0.7 percent drop
analysts expected. Consumers are reluctant to spend money currently
due to bad market and economy.
Retailers are hoping for green Christmas, but in fact
it will be different this year. Spending all across from online, car
sales, furniture, electronic good, sporting and others were all
down.
Consumers are indicating that they will be tighter on
spending which would lead to flat to declining sales. Given this,
retailers foresee a "weaker economic outlook, including a slow
holiday season," the Fed said.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben warned in a speech
Wednesday that patching up the credit markets won't provide an
instantaneous jolt to the economy.
Analysts have warned that market will continue to see
volatility as it tries to recover. Investors came to believe that
government's $250 billion plan was based on too much optimism about
the country's problems.
The stock market is struggling to recover from last
week's terrible run, which erased about $2.4 trillion in shareholder
wealth and brought the Dow to its lowest level since April 2003.
Credit market has been showing some recovery but still remains
nervous as demand for safe assets remains high.
Economic activity weakened across the United States in
September in all twelve Federal Reserve Districts. In a speech to
the Economic Club of New York, Bernanke said it will take some time
to restore normal flows of credit and he pledged the U.S. central
bank would continue to act aggressively to fight the crisis.
Fed might be pressured to cut rates again as some
analysts believe by a quarter or half point. Others say the
Fed won't cut rates again, unless it absolutely has too. Another
wild card is the presidential election on Nov. 4, just days after
the FOMC's policy meeting and the release of third-quarter GDP.
Oil prices dipped below $75 a barrel Wednesday, a new
13-month low, as OPEC reduced its 2009 petroleum demand forecast.
Light, sweet crude for November delivery fell $2.95 to $75.68 a
barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
That left pumps lower their prices, according to AAA
prices has dropped to a new national average of $3.125. Economic
slowdown is forcing consumers to cut back on expenses and energy
use. Recession might be looming and expectation about crude
prices might still have some way until they bottom out. Many
traders suggest $50 a barrel might be the right price.
From the realty check many lenders are holding off on
modifying or restructuring loans, thinking they might get a better
deal from the bailout. On top of that banks are holding off on
selling foreclosed homes or doing short sales. The Fed's trying to
create liquidity everywhere, but somehow not into mortgages.
Vanishing jobs, shrinking
paychecks, falling home values all are making consumers more
cautious and less inclined to spend, slowing the overall
economy.