Today’s market buzz

July retail sales fell 0.6% MoM versus 0.1% growth expected, the biggest drop since May 2025. August Michigan sentiment fell from 55.2 to 51.0, below the 54.5 forecast. Softer demand and cooler CPI/PPI weaken the case for a September hike, but one-year inflation expectations rose from 4.2% to 4.3%. Further slowing could pressure the dollar and short-end yields, supporting gold and BTC; rising inflation expectations could keep rates high and constrain risk-asset valuations.