The primary stock indices lost steam as they approached official close on
Tuesday. The Consumer Confidence data was weaker than expected and this put a
damper on the latter half of the trading session. According to the Conference
Boards post, the consumer confidence index dropped from 59.2 in July to 44.5 in
August. The drop signifies one of the worst drops in the Consumer Confidence
index in years. More economic reports are skewing negative in the U.S. and
investors confidence continues to be affected by the inconsistencies in the U.S.
marketplace. The week will end with the jobs report but data currently implies
that little improvement might be observed. Home price data came in yesterday as
well. Second quarter data for home prices was an improvement, but home prices
are still negative overall for the year. Data was weak but the primary stock
indices had inclined just enough to finish the session green last session. The
Dow Jones Industrial Average finished higher by .18 percent at 11,559.95. The
Nasdaq finished higher by .55 percent at 2,576.11. The S&P 500 finished higher
by .23 percent at 1,212.92. The dollar gained against the euro and British pound
and gold futures rose higher. The safe haven appeal of gold attracted more
attention as investors processed the weaker economic data. Frank Matto
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