RETAIL SALES

Stocks headed for a flat open on Tuesday as government data pointing to a slower than expected recovery in consumer spending fueled caution even after strong quarterly earnings from Goldman Sachs Group

Goldman Sachs is expected to report 2Q earnings today. The bank reported a profit of $1.8 billion in the first quarter after earning strong revenues from its fixed income, commodities and currencies trading division. Shares are expected to rise as the markets open.

Sales at U.S. retailers rose a stronger-than-expected 0.6 percent in June, boosted by a big jump in auto sales, Commerce Department data showed on Tuesday.

Stock index futures rose on Tuesday as investors bet that quarterly earnings from Goldman Sachs Group would kick off a strong reporting season for financial companies, offsetting caution over the looming release of June retail sales.

Stock index futures were little changed on Tuesday as caution ahead of June retail sales offset hopes that Goldman Sachs will kick off a strong reporting season for financial companies.

Asian stocks bounced on Tuesday as a rally in U.S. financial shares helped Japan break a long losing streak, while also reversing some of the recent safe-haven rush into the yen and sovereign bonds.

Asian stocks bounced on Tuesday as a rally in U.S. financial shares helped Japan break a 10-session losing streak, while also reversing a little of the recent safe-haven rush into the yen.

US TREASURIES reversed from the recent highs on Monday after equities posted a strong rebound from overnight lows after Goldman Sachs received a strong buy recommendation based upon expectation of the leading Wall Street firm posting better than expected earnings driven by record breaking revenues from its trading activities.

Chevron upcoming, Jobless claims and retail sales effects

Unseasonable weather and consumers without the stimulus boost they received last year were expected to have dampened U.S. retail sales in June, analysts said.

Unseasonable weather and consumers without the stimulus boost they received last year were expected to have dampened U.S. retail sales in June, analysts said.

Major automakers are expected to report the highest sales rate of 2009 when they post results for June, as deep discounts limit industry-wide results to a 30-percent decline.

Major automakers are expected to report the highest sales rate of 2009 when they post results for June, as deep discounts limit industry-wide results to a 30-percent decline.

U.S. financial markets entered a new era of good feelings in March on the back of sentiment surveys pointing to a rebound just around the corner, but hard economic data has yet to back it up.

Heavy machinery maker Caterpillar Inc said on Thursday that its retail sales of machines had declined at a faster pace in May, sending its shares lower.

Amid complaints by smaller competitors that exclusive agreements by dominant wireless phone companies and handset makers hurt competition, AT&T said on Wednesday that competition in the industry is robust and it will increase over time.

Oil prices slid toward $72 a barrel on Friday, as investors locked in gains from a near eight-month high settlement a day ago, but stronger-than-expected China factory output and retail sales data lent support.

Oil prices fell toward $72 a barrel on Friday, as investors locked in gains from a near eight-month high settlement a day ago, but stronger-than-expected China factory output and retail sales data lent support.

U.S. retail sales rose in May for the first time in three months and the number of workers filing new claims for jobless benefits last week hit a January low, fostering hope the recession was abating.

U.S retail sales rose for the first time in three months in May and the number of workers filing new claims for jobless benefits last week hit the lowest level since January, fostering hope the recession was abating.

Stocks rose on Thursday as rising oil and other commodity prices lifted energy stocks, while retail sales and weekly jobless claims data bolstered optimism for an economic recovery.