US retail sales dropped by the largest amount in eight months according to the May numbers released Friday (June 11) morning. This puts a bit of a brief damper on more upbeat economic news of late that has help keep oil prices propped up in the mid-$70s.

The average interest rate for a conventional 30-year fixed loan in the US is a remarkably low 4.82 per cent Wednesday (June 9) morning, compared to a 4.91 per cent average rate on Wednesday of last week, according to the Bankrate.com survey of mortgage lenders from across the country.

The Euro has fallen to levels not seen since the first half of 2006 against the dollar as talk of pending interest rate hikes pick up in the United States. One Euro is currently worth $1.2058 after falling as low as $1.2017 in early Friday (June 4) morning US trade.

The Euro remains in a vulnerable position with a lot of economic and environmental factors affecting Europe, Asia, and US markets. One Euro is currently worth $1.2313 in mid-day Asia currency trade.

Crude oil prices climbed significantly early Thursday (May 27) morning in New York Mercantile electronic trading. After dipping below $70 for a few days thanks to European troubles and the BP oil spill, oil has returned to the $73 level based on speculator expectation for positive US economic news.

German lawmakers have moved very quickly to officially put into a place a loan assistance package for debt ridden European Union countries. Citing the growing despair in the marketplace, German leaders noted that making the support package official was important to concerned consumers and investors.