Behind the Markets Podcast · Friday, August 14, 2026
Recent retail sales data showed a significant weakening, prompting revisions to Q3 GDP estimates. However, other high-frequency indicators do not suggest a broad economic downturn. Oil prices remain a key factor supporting market highs.
“Yeah. Um, I will admit, I I I had to do a double look. Um, this retail sales report was weak. Um, quite weak.”
“Yes, we got a tiny tick up of jobless claims. Yes, the ADP week weeks are little lower than before but nothing that, you know, says there's a, um, a big fall off.”
“Um, the reason that it's everything's hitting all highs is because oil is still doing relatively low, despite no, you know, observable movement on Hormuz. I mean, in the low 80s, very low 80s, which I think, you know, the US certainly can deal with.”