Quick Overview

• U.S. retail sales were down 0.9% in June
  

• U.S. business sales were up 1.3% in May
  

• New Zealand retail sales rose 1.2% in May
  
  

• University of Michigan's index of consumer sentiment increased from 85.3 to 92.4 in July, more than expected.
  

• The International Energy Agency anticipates world oil demand to increase 2.2 million barrels to 88.2 million barrels per day in 2008.
  

• Iran has asked Japanese oil wholesalers to make payments for their oil purchases in the yen instead of the U.S. dollar.