During the third quarter of 2011, combined EPS of the S&P constituents achieved a very strong 18.0% year-overyear growth rate. Earnings were at a record high as the economy continued its recovery. In aggregate, high net income is accompanied by higher levels of free cash flow. Companies have several options for using this excess cash flow – investing in their businesses, paying dividends to shareholders, making acquisitions, and/or repurchasing company stock.

We separated out the stores that comprise both the Thomson Reuters Same Store Sales Department Store index, and additional high-end retailers from the Thomson Reuters Same Store Sales Index. These include JW Nordstrom, Saks, Coach, Tiffany’s and Williams Sonoma. These components of actual SSS results were used to create a unique Thomson Reuters Luxury Store SSS Index. The data was then compiled and graphed to show the trends in both the Thomson Reuters Same Store Sales Index and newly comprised Thomson Reuters Same Store Sales Luxury Store Index.

Tracking recent signs of improvement in consumer spending, we’ve probed even deeper to examine factors likely to affect the consumer’s ability to spend this holiday season. These dynamics include changes in personal income, unemployment rate, and consumer confidence, among others, versus rates of change in consumption spending. This Product Insight also examines actions that retailers are taking to woo customers, and identifies retailers that might benefit in light of the challenging climate and shift in consumer behaviors and expectations.

It's no secret that over the past several months gasoline and cotton prices have been soaring. Tracking recent signs of improvement in consumer spending, we've probed even deeper to examine gasoline and cotton prices across the nation. Additionally, we explored factors likely to affect consumers' ability to spend this spring season. These dynamics include changes in personal income, consumer confidence as well as unemployment. This Product Insight also examined how retailers will do in the upcoming Easter months.

Record gold and silver prices have created a stir in the market, with many pundits now placing their bets on silver as this decade’s “new gold.” In this study, we look at the relative attractiveness of gold and silver, which may help identify pairs trading opportunities.

A November 2010 Thomson Reuters Proprietary Research study pointed to strong momentum for gold over the medium term, identifying strong global liquidity and low interest rates as support for a continued rally. Since that report, gold prices have risen by about 6%. In this new study, we revisit the gold rush theme: a) examining and comparing the performance of gold mining stocks at a regional/country level, b) shedding light on gold’s key macroeconomic price drivers and its performance versus other metals, and c) gauging the short-term outlook based on the Commitment of Traders report.

This report studies European equity performance for 2010, seeking clues to gauge the 2011 outlook. We examine Dow Jones STOXX® 600 Index performance at the industry and sector levels to identify leading and lagging industries. And we look at earnings performance throughout the year to evaluate fundamentals. We also look at analysts’ forward expected revenue and earnings growth expectations, along with valuation metrics, to determine future performance and potential industry leadership within the STOXX 600.

The Commitment of Traders (COT) report is a valuable tool in gauging market sentiment and near-term market direction. Data on corn futures’ trading reveal that companies on the consumption end of that industry have been hedging more actively in the recent past than have companies on the production end. This likely reflects commercial buyers’ fear of rising prices. At the same time, another trading segment, money managers, have been increasing net positions. This trading activity indicates a near-term bullish outlook for corn.

The Commitment of Traders (COT) report helps analyze trends in the fluctuating positions of different classes of traders in futures markets. As such, it is a valuable tool in gauging market sentiment and near-term market direction. A top-level analysis of COT oil futures data, based on those who trade for industrial purposes (i.e., commercial sellers and buyers of oil), suggests a near-term neutral-to-bearish outlook for oil prices, as commercial sellers are hedging more than commercial buyers.

Concerns about Spain’s banking system appear to arise from a handful of regional banks — which amount to less than 25% of the country’s banking system. Still, Spain, and the Eurozone as a whole, may have to successfully endure a further market shock before investor confidence is ultimately restored.