Macro
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month values ▾
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -0.26 | -0.10 | -0.10 | -0.05 | +0.00 | +0.05 | +0.05 | +0.05 | -0.26 | -0.31 | -0.21 | +0.10 |
Consumer sentiment is flat this month, weighed down by reports of reduced food purchasing linked to rising use of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, a trend noted by major retailers such as Walmart. While Ford’s delay of its $12 billion EV investment underscores tepid demand for high-ticket items, the broader consumer sector shows no strong momentum in either direction, reflecting cautious spending rather than broad pullback.
How this mood is scored ▾
Tesla has cut prices across its Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles in the U.S. and key European markets to stimulate demand amid rising competition and slowing consumer spending. The move follows weaker-than-expected year-end 2022 deliveries and aims to boost volume and tax credit eligibility, but risks alienating recent buyers. The pricing strategy may help Tesla maintain market share, though analysts warn of persistent demand challenges.
Global PC shipments fell sharply in Q4 2023, with declines of 28–29% year-over-year due to muted demand, hitting manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Lenovo hardest. While Apple saw smaller losses, analysts expect a market rebound by late 2023 or early 2024 as pent-up demand and economic stabilization drive recovery.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) has initiated a first-ever simultaneous strike against GM, Ford, and Stellantis, targeting 13,000 workers across three plants to pressure automakers into agreeing to higher wages, restored benefits, and cost-of-living adjustments. The action, driven by widening pay gaps and record company profits, could expand, disrupting production and impacting the automotive sector's labor cost outlook.
Ford Motor is postponing $12 billion in planned EV manufacturing investments as customers show reluctance to pay premiums for electric vehicles. The move affects battery plant expansions but spares Blue Oval City construction, reflecting a strategic pivot to align with slower-than-expected EV adoption. The Ford Model e unit reported a $1.3 billion quarterly loss, highlighting ongoing profitability challenges despite rising revenue.
Walmart's U.S. CEO John Furner said shoppers on GLP-1 drugs like Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy are buying 'less units, slightly less calories' — the first hard retail data tying appetite-suppressing drugs to food demand. The comments knocked food, beverage and snack stocks to multi-year lows as investors priced in a shrinking-appetite narrative that soon spread to medtech names.
U.S. online Black Friday sales reached a record $9.8 billion, up 7.5% year-over-year, driven by deal-seeking consumers and strong mobile spending, according to Adobe Analytics. Retailers including Best Buy, Target, and Ulta responded with deeper discounts and pop-up promotions. The surge signals robust holiday spending momentum, with Cyber Monday projected to hit $12 billion, though growth may taper as discounts fade later in the season.