1) Surging demand for sugar is causing global supply shortages. With changing diets and lifestyles the demand for sugar has drastically increased in third world nations. For instance, Southeast Asia has had an eleven fold increase in demand. Global sugar prices have increased 12% this last year with the commodities trader ED&F Man Holdings Ltd. forecasting a world sugar deficit this year of about 10%.

2) Financial analyst forecast a number of traditional brick-and-mortar retailing chains will go bankrupt this year. Renowned names such as J.C. Penny, Pier 1 Imports, Rite Aid, Neiman Marcus, Stein Mart and the nutrition chain GNC are expected to continue their downward slide with many not surviving until the next Christmas. For the past several years or more, these name brand chains have be contracting with store closings and layoffs as they struggle to adapt to a new consumer environment.

3) While e-commerce is largely blamed for the demise of shopping malls and traditional brick-and-mortar stores, with online shopping growing tremendously over the last twenty years, expanding from $5 billion dollars per quarter to $155 billion dollars. Presently, e-commerce represents only 11% of the total retail sales. More than 70% of retail spending is in categories that has been slow or impossible for internet sales to captures such as automobiles, gasoline, home improvement and garden supplies. Inroads in drugs and pharmacy sales are being made, as well as food and drink from food delivery services.

4) Stock market closings for – 14 FEB 20:

Dow 29,398.08 down 25.23
Nasdaq 9,731.18 up 19.21
S&P 500 3,380.16 up 6.22

10 Year Yield: down at 1.59%

Oil: up at $52.25

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