The Fed made a move Thursday (February 18) to boost the emergency loan rate that it charges banks from .50 per cent to .75 per cent. While the Central Bank says the hike in its “discount” rate is not going to affect consumers, it is widely believed that this is just the first in several moves to return lending rates to normal as the economy improves.

Gold prices have been on the rebound in the last two weeks after touching a near-term low at price on February 5th of $1,052.25. With a current (February 17) gold spot rate of $1,114.70 per ounce, the commodity has increased in worth by over $60 in 12 days.

The US Commerce Department reported Friday (February 12) morning that January retail sales grew by .5 per cent, which was higher than the .3 per cent forecasted by analysts. Wal-Mart and other big department stores were seen as the major catalyst for the growth, which suggests a more conventional increase in consumer spending on retail purchases.

The US dollar has started February in the same vein that it finished January, buoyed by evidence of US economic recovery, after Friday’s GDP numbers, and fears that China will implement measures to control its economic growth.

The dollar has grown stronger to start this week, gaining ground against most major currencies and commodities, the Japanese yen, being the prominent exception.

While declining oil prices over the last week have not necessarily caught the attention of consumers as much as they have speculators and impacted businesses, falling gas prices have. Friday (January 22) marked the seventh consecutive day of falling fuel prices with the current national average at $2.73, according to Wright Express and the Oil Price Information Service.