Just after elections Down Jones had two biggest day
decline of almost 10 percent on worries about economy which seems to
spread to almost every sector.
The Down Jones took away 440 points today bringing its
two day decline to 900 as retailers reported weak sales in October
as it the weakest decline in 39 years.
Weak sales will continue during holidays as stock
market is tumbling, layoffs are on the horizon and consumers are
starting to feel the pinch and need to save money.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported that they will cut
prices on laptops to toys and start their black Friday sales sooner
which will last over next seven weeks. J.C.Penney Co. is also
offering extended hours and markdowns of up to 60 percent this
weekend.
The drop in sales last month shows that everyone is
saving money and spending only on necessities. Weak sale outlook
shows that retailers will report gloomy outlook again in the next
quarter. Analysts expect no recovery until at least the second half
of 2009.
Retail industry which is expected to post its sixth
consecutive quarter of profit declines when it reports third-quarter
results this month. Holiday shoppers will be careful in spending
money this season and even with savings offered by many retailers
analysts suggest consumers still will be looking at their wallets
and spending only as necessary.
Luxury stores were hit hard as shoppers cut back on
designer clothing. Nordstrom posted a 15.7 percent drop, Saks Inc.,
which operates Saks Fifth Avenue, recorded a 16.6 percent drop.
American Eagle Outfitters Inc. announced a 12 percent drop and
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. suffered a 20 percent drop.
To more fuel economic problems the number of
out-of-work Americans drawing unemployment benefits has surged to a
25-year high. The Labor Department reported Thursday that the number
of people continuing to draw unemployment benefits jumped by 122,000
to 3.84 million in late October.
Democrats pushing to include an extension of
unemployment benefits in a new stimulus package, which could be
taken up this month. Benefits last 26 weeks. Congress approved a
special 13-week extension of benefits in June, and the department
said about 773,000 people claimed benefits through that program for
the week ending Oct. 18.
With economy moving down the scale employers are
preparing for the worst by slashing jobs. Government is expected to
report additional 200,000 job loss when t releases the October
employment report on Friday. The unemployment rate -- now at 6.1
percent -- is expected to climb to 6.3 percent in October.
Auto industry leaders of General Motors, Ford,
Chrysler and the president of the United Auto Workers union asked
for billions of dollars more in financial aid. Auto sales had
declined to its lowest in 17 years and with new $25 billion that
automakers want can help them to make payments to health care trust
funds that were created as part of labor deal in 2007.
President-elect Obama expressed support for an
additional $25 billion in loans on the condition that the money
would go toward helping the industry build fuel efficient cars.
US President-elect Barack Obama and Vice
President-elect Joe Biden will hold a news conference at 2:30 EST on
Friday to address economic problems. Obama, who will inherit
the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, faces
pressure to announce his picks for key economic jobs, including
Treasury secretary.
Whoever will take the next Treasury job will guide the
$700 billion bailout package.
With economic problems many analysts predict that
economy will not improve until the end of 2009. Bad news are
expected on Friday, when the October employment report is expected
to show at least 200,000 jobs were lost last month.
Any negative report coming to
Wall Street will turn markets down. Wall Street needs to see some
positive reports and it may take some time until bailouts will take
affect, but until than new president elect will have his hands
full.