Overview: Retail sales were up 1.1% in September.  The U.S. trade deficit was unchanged at $45.6 billion in September.  The U.S. Treasury reported a deficit of $64.6 billion for September.  Business inventories rose 0.5% in August.  Initial jobless claims fell 1,000 to a level of 404,000 for the week ended 10/8.

• Retail sales increased 1.1% in September.  Excluding autos, sales were up 0.6%.
• The U.S. trade deficit was unchanged at a level of $45.6 billion in August. 
• The U.S. Treasury reported a deficit of $64.6 billion in September.
• Business inventories rose 0.5% in August.
• Markets closed the week up significantly.  The Nasdaq, which rose 7.6%, posted its largest weekly gain since March of 2009.  The rate on 10-yr. Treasury notes continued to rise. 
• Initial jobless claims fell 1,000 to 404,000 for the week ended October 8^th.