{"id":85064,"date":"2024-10-26T01:00:35","date_gmt":"2024-10-26T08:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/?p=85064"},"modified":"2024-10-29T09:48:40","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T16:48:40","slug":"black-coffee-26-oct-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/id85064-black-coffee-26-oct-2024.html","title":{"rendered":"Black Coffee: Skeletons In the Closet"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"It’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe …<\/em><\/p>\n

Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what’s been going on in the world of money and personal finance.<\/p>\n

I hope everybody had a wonderful week. And with that, let’s get right to this week’s commentary, shall we?<\/p>\n

On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, at the dawn of decision, sat down to wait, and waiting died.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

– George W. Cecil<\/strong><\/p>\n

Credits and Debits<\/strong><\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Did you see this? Recent retail sales data shows consumer spending remains robust<\/a>. Hooray! However, while this has led some to believe economic issues are resolved, the underlying factors that fueled inflation may still be hiding in plain sight. The good news is: The stock market is still flirting with its all-time highs. At least for now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Unfortunately, the rising consumer sales figure for last month needs a bit of reality check, as Zero Hedge<\/em> points out the positive September spending figure is entirely due to higher prices. Or to put it another way: Consumers are spending more but receiving less<\/a>. Apparently they\u2019re drinking less too …<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> In other news, a market analyst who also happens to be a former executive for both Target and Toys \u2018R US is projecting that the upcoming holiday spending season between Black Friday and Christmas will see growth in the 2.5% range. However, the same retail expert notes that 2.5% “is not very good<\/a>. In (retail’s) heyday, we’d want to see more like 4% growth.\u201d Then again, if we’re being honest, considering this guy worked in the C-suite for two of the worst run companies in America, we should probably take his warnings with a heaping spoonful of salt. Or not …<\/p>\n