News & Insights

The following has been compiled from information and comments provided by the investment professionals of Frost Investment Advisors:

Retail Traction…

Last week was another eye-opening week, with retail sales surprising to the upside as consumer momentum continued to help drive the economic recovery.  While still fragile, the economy has been bolstered by a number of much improved turnaround scenarios, including automobile sales, housing, falling inventory levels, and per the comment above, retail sales.   Although today’s labor market recovery pales in comparison to the prior two years, the quick decline in continuing jobless claims since the early spring hints at a recovery extending well into next year.  Recent economic data also suggests an uptick in commerce, while recent monetary policies are reminders of a very accommodative stance from the Fed.  Risks exist, of course, most notably the upcoming election and growing fears of a dragged-out final election tally, along with a continuing lag in terms of a still necessary supplemental fiscal stimulus package to help bridge family budgets and sustain the economic recovery.