US DATA: ICSC-Goldman Sachs weekly chain stores index rose by 0.8%,
which partially reversed the prior weekfs dip. Warm weather, receding
gasoline prices and improving high]income household consumer confidence
all supported spending over the latest week. Additionally, over the past
week, the ICSC consumer tracking survey found that consumers were
shopping more at department stores, which saw its sectorfs traffic perk
up nicely relative to the same week of last year. According to Weather
Trends International (WTI), the national average temperature over the
past week ending Saturday was 3.3 degrees warmer than last year and
4.3 degrees warmer than its long]term average. See more on the MNI main
wire.