We're finding more and more evidence in 2025 that escaping the economy of the past few years won't be so easy and neat as many were hoping. The golden arches reported their worst sales estimates for American stores since the lockdowns. Those results fit with other retailers struggling mightily among other commercial segments, as data now suggests consumer fears over the labor market are compounding the downturn.

Eurodollar University's Money & Macro Analysis

CNBC McDonald’s revenue disappoints, as U.S. sales see worst drop since pandemic
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/10/mcdonalds-mcd-q4-2024-earnings.html

CNBC https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/03/why-dollar-general-and-dollar-tree-are-struggling.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/03/why-dollar-general-and-dollar-tree-are-struggling.html

Bloomberg Shein's Growth is Hurting Discount Retailers as Store Closures Surge
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-02-11/shein-and-temu-s-growth-is-hurting-discount-retailers-ahead-of-tariffs

Target
https://corporate.target.com/press/release/2024/11/target-corporation-reports-third-quarter-earnings

https://corporate.target.com/press/release/2025/01/target-corporation-provides-holiday-sales-update,-announces-leadership-team-changes

FRBNY SCE
https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sce#/

Bloomberg US Consumer Sentiment Drops to Seven-Month Low on Price Worries
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-07/us-consumer-sentiment-drops-to-seven-month-low-on-price-worries

https://www.eurodollar.university
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffSnider_EDU

Stephen A's Take: Elon Musk has billion-dollar contracts. He can visit the Pentagon. But no secret info.