RETAIL SALES

Asian stock markets ended with gains last week after the European Central Bank (ECB) announced plan to reduce borrowing costs of struggling euro zone countries’ and news that Chinese regulators had approved another batch of infrastructure projects, which should stabilize and restore growth in the world's second largest economy. Market participants’ are likely to focus on Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) interest rate decision on September 13th.

The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell last week to its lowest level in a month, an upbeat signal for a labor market that has struggled to create enough jobs.

Chile retained its top spot among Latin American economies as the most economically competitive nation, while its neighbor to the east continued falling, according to a report from the World Economic Forum, which hosts the annual economic summit in Davos, Switzerland.

Labor Day 2012 is finally here, marking the end of summer and bringing in the autumn season. The national holiday is a time for a lazy break from work, a final summer barbeque and major retail sales.

Most of the country's largest merchandisers on Thursday reported solid same-store sales this month.

Asian stock markets declined Thursday as the disappointing Japan retail sales data and the fading hopes for fresh measure by the Fed Reserve weighed on the sentiment.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a lower open Thursday as investors continue to have concerns about the weakening global economy and worsening economic growth momentum.

The Nikkei share average plunged Thursday on concerns that Ben Bernanke, the U.S. Federal Reserve chairman, will not announce imminent stimulus from the Fed in a key speech on Friday.

Asian markets fell Thursday as investors' concerns about the weakening global economy was revived by the declining Japanese retail sales and disappointing South Korean manufacturers' confidence data.

The number of Americans lining up for new jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, the Labor Department said Thursday, suggesting little improvement in the labor market.

An unofficial gauge of human misery in the U.S. is now sitting at its lowest level in three years. Not four. In other words, while conditions have improved somewhat, Americans are still feeling miserable under President Barack Obama's watch and that obviously doesn't bode well for Obama's re-election chances.

Asian shares rose and the euro hit a seven-week high Thursday as the Federal Reserve's minutes raised the prospect for more U.S. stimulus while uncertainty continued over progress in Europe's debt crisis, including the European Central Bank's bold action.

Unemployment is still well above 8 percent, the cost at the pump is rising and consumers are still wary and cost-conscious, but recent surveys indicate back-to-school buys and the upcoming holiday shopping season will be as good as or better than last year. Still, the theme of the season is cautious optimism.

Asian markets were mixed in the week as investors maintained a watchful mode awaiting monetary easing measures from policymakers around the world to tackle the weakening of the global economic growth.

U.S. consumer sentiment edged up this month to a three-month high as a stock market rally appears to have offset the impact of rising gasoline prices.

Shares firmed Friday as German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced support for the European Central Bank's efforts to contain the euro zone's debt crisis, soothing investor nerves and prompting them to scale back safety bids.

The Indian rupee fell to a two-week low of 56.00/02 paise against the dollar in the morning trade Thursday, tracking the strengthening of the dollar in the global market. The dollar gained globally, chasing the upbeat U.S. data of retail sales which eased the concerns about the monetary control.

Asian shares steadied Thursday as investors took to the sidelines, waiting for more clues over the timing and extent of any further stimulus to tackle the euro zone's debt crisis and support global growth.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a lower open Wednesday amid the fading expectations about an announcement of monetary easing measures by the Federal Reserve to support the economy.

Most of the Asian markets fell Wednesday as investor confidence was weighed down by the lack of stimulus measures from policymakers to support the global economy and regain the growth momentum.

Asian shares steadied Wednesday as strong U.S. retail sales and data showing Germany and France avoiding a contraction last quarter bolstered investors' risk appetite, with weak euro zone growth sustaining hopes for more stimulus.