Weekly Economic Snapshot: Consumer Prices Ease as Margin Debt Hits Historic Highs

As the second half of January begins, the U.S. economy presents a picture of cooling inflation and resilient consumer activity. While consumer price growth hit a six-month low in December and retail sales rebounded to start the holiday season, investor sentiment has reached a fever pitch.

ETF Trends • Jan 20, 2026

Retail Sales Up 0.6% in November, Higher Than Expected

November's Advance Retail Sales Report from the Census Bureau showed a pickup in consumer spending. Headline sales were up 0.6%, up from -0.1% pullback in October and above the projected 0.5% growth.

ETF Trends • Jan 14, 2026

Online Holiday Spending Hit Records. AI Helped.

Use of generative AI chat services for holiday shopping rose nearly 700% from a year earlier.

Barrons • Jan 7, 2026

ETFs to Gain as an Estimated 159M Shoppers Flocked to "Super Saturday"

Retail-focused ETFs could benefit as a record 158.9 million shoppers hit stores and online on Super Saturday, boosting late-season sales momentum.

Zacks Investment Research • Dec 23, 2025

Retail Sales Flat in October, Lower Than Expected

October's Advance Retail Sales Report from the Census Bureau revealed a slowdown in consumer spending. Headline sales were flat, missing the projected 0.1% monthly growth.

ETF Trends • Dec 16, 2025

Strong Start to Holiday Season Amid Strains Spotlight These Retail ETFs

Record holiday spending masks consumer strain, but strong retail earnings lift interest in ETFs XRT, RTH, IBUY and ONLN.

Zacks Investment Research • Dec 4, 2025

Go on a Shopping Spree With 3 Top Retail ETFs

Heading into the holiday season, it's not clear how broad economic and consumer concerns will impact spending. However, if Black Friday 2025 is any indication, online retailers are likely to do well.

MarketBeat • Dec 1, 2025

ETFs Likely to Benefit from Thanksgiving Weekend Sales

Thanksgiving shopping is set to boost retail and tech ETFs. XRT, IBUY, ONLN, IPAY, BPAY and PSCD could be the biggest winners of the holiday spending boom.

Zacks Investment Research • Nov 28, 2025

Retail Sales Up 0.2% in September, Lower Than Expected

The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for September showed consumer spending was lower than expected, with headline sales rising 0.2% versus the expected 0.4% monthly growth. This is down from August's 0.6% growth and marks the fourth consecutive monthly increase in headline sales.

ETF Trends • Nov 25, 2025

Consumers Cautious in Holiday Season: ETFs to Win/Lose

Cautious consumers, strong goods demand! ETFs to watch this holiday season: likely winners XLY, ONLN, BPAY, CHAT, likely laggards EATZ, AWAY.

Zacks Investment Research • Nov 12, 2025