Zeev's Turnips Patch-No Politics (ZEEV)

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U.S. Feb. retail sales fall 0.1% vs. -0.4% expected

U.S. Feb. retail sales ex-autos up 0.7% vs. 0.2% expected

U.S. Feb auto sales fall 4.3%

U.S. Feb. gas station sales up 3.4%

U.S. Feb. general merchandise store sales up 1.3%

U.S. Jan. retail sales revised up to 1.8% gain vs. 1.0%

U.S. retail sales down 8.6% in past year

Retail sales stronger than expected in 1st 2 months of year:

8:30 AM ET, Mar 12, 2009 - By Rex NuttingWASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - U.S. retail sales began the year much stronger than expected, according to Commerce Department figures released Thursday. Retail sales dropped 0.1% in February, better than the 0.4% decline expected by economists surveyed by MarketWatch. January's sales gain was revised much higher, to a 1.8% gain from the 1% increase estimated a month ago. Sales are down 8.6% in the past year and had declined for a record six straight months before January's surprising gain. Auto sales sank 4.3% in February. Excluding autos, retail sales rose 0.7% in February after an upwardly revised 1.6% gain in January. Economists expected sales excluding autos to rise 0.2%

U.S. weekly initial jobless claims rise 9,000 to 654,000

U.S. 4-week avg. jobless claims up 6,750 to 650,000

U.S. continuing jobless claims up 193,000 to record 5.32M

U.S. 4-week avg. ongoing claims up 124,250 to record 5.14M

Insured unemployment rate rises to 4%, highest since 1983

Economic Report: Retail sales stronger than expected in first 2 months of year.

8:30 AM ET, Mar 12, 2009 - By Rex Nutting