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March retail gross sales bounce, even excluding surge in gasoline. (0:15) UnitedHealth lifts outlook after sturdy quarter. (1:30) Disney raises peak Magic Kingdom ticket costs for 2027. (2:11)
That is an abridged transcript of the podcast:
Our high story up to now, don’t rely out the buyer simply but.
March retail gross sales rose 1.7% M/M, topping the 1.4% consensus and accelerating from February’s 0.7% acquire. Core retail gross sales, excluding motor autos and components, climbed 1.9% M/M versus 1.3% anticipated.
Retail gross sales excluding gasoline and autos elevated 0.6% M/M, above the +0.2% consensus. Gasoline station gross sales have been up 18% Y/Y.
“It’s a blowout retail gross sales determine for March,” mentioned Navy Federal Credit score Union Chief Economist Heather Lengthy. “Stripping out the large surge in spending on gasoline as a result of Center East battle, it is a strong however extra modest 0.6% enhance.”
Lengthy famous features throughout most classes, although spending at eating places was softer, probably signaling early indicators of client pullback as greater gas prices weigh on budgets. She additionally pointed to elevated spending on electronics and home equipment, which can replicate tariff-related worth pressures.
In the meantime, President Donald Trump mentioned he isn’t backing away from a Justice Division investigation tied to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, sustaining strain on the central financial institution as Fed chief nominee Kevin Warsh seems earlier than Congress.
Trump informed CNBC officers must “discover out” why the Fed spent closely on renovating its headquarters and mentioned he can be disenchanted if Warsh didn’t transfer shortly to chop charges.
Amongst energetic shares, UnitedHealth (UNH) is lifting the Dow after reporting better-than-expected Q1 outcomes and elevating its full-year earnings outlook.
Looking for Alpha analyst Jonathan Weber mentioned that whereas UNH stays beneath peak profitability ranges from just a few years in the past, “it appears just like the turnaround is progressing fairly effectively.”
GE Aerospace (GE) topped Wall Avenue estimates for Q1, however shares are underneath strain as traders give attention to full-year earnings steerage that continues to be beneath consensus regardless of administration’s upbeat tone.
And Avis Finances (CAR) is extending its epic quick squeeze, on observe for a fourth straight session of features. The inventory has surged greater than 300% in April and is up almost 375% YTD.
Brief curiosity stands at about 62% of the corporate’s free float, in line with S3 Companions.
In different information of word, Walt Disney World is elevating peak ticket costs, with one-day admission to the Magic Kingdom reaching as excessive as $219 on sure dates.
Disney (DIS) opened bookings for the primary 10 months of 2027, protecting the beginning worth for one-day, one-park tickets at $119. The highest finish, nonetheless, is roughly 10% above 2025 peak charges. November and December pricing has not but been launched, and people months usually command the very best fares.
Elsewhere, Malaysia’s Karex Bhd — the world’s largest condom maker — informed Reuters it could elevate costs by 20% to 30% if provide disruptions tied to the Iran battle persist.
The corporate cited greater freight prices and transport delays, whereas additionally noting elevated demand and lower-than-usual inventories amongst purchasers.
Appears protected intercourse requires protected passage for ships.
And within the Wall Avenue Analysis Nook, U.S. small caps are rising as an sudden driver of the rally as efficiency broadens past a slender group of leaders, Société Générale says.
Cross-asset strategist Manish Kabra notes the Russell 2000 (IWM) is up about 12% YTD, with equal-weight small caps rising roughly 13%. That efficiency has matched the tech-heavy Nasdaq because the market backside in late March following the Iran-driven selloff.
Kabra argues the revenue cycle for smaller corporations bottomed in early 2025, with enhancing fundamentals now flowing via to fairness efficiency.
