Watch Consumer Credit

Consumer loan growth, largely driven by growth in credit card loan expansion, is beginning to slow after a big surge in early 2010. Are the headlines beginning to reflect a tapped out consumer? Any decrease in consumer loan demand not matched by increases in business and/or real estate loans will place downward pressure on total bank credit creation in the US. The Fed and its QE(n) programs are trying desperately to avert this outcome.

Business & Commercial, Real Estate, and Consumer Loans Year-over-Year Change For All Commercial Banks


Headline: Best Buy plans to get small as sales fall

Best Buy is changing its TV-selling strategy by significantly increasing TV selection online -- offering 100 models in stores but 300 more online only at more competitive prices.

The chain is also pushing hard to open smaller stores. The company is opening 150 smaller-format mobile only stores by the end of the year, nearly doubling its total to 325.

"We are exploring and redefining what the optimal big-box footprint is for us," CEO Brian Dunn said on a call with analysts.

Source: finance.yahoo.com