USD - Major events in the week ahead

Events that marked the week:

On Tuesday Retail Sales data was published. U.S. retail sales advanced in July by the most this year, with widespread gains from department stores to building materials outlets that signal a robust start to consumer spending in the third quarter, according to Commerce Department figures released Tuesday. Overall sales climbed 0.6% (est. 0.3% gain) after 0.3% advance in prior month (revised from 0.2% decline).

US Consumer Sentiment at a seven month high

Consumer sentiment climbed in August to a seven-month high as a measure of the outlook for the U.S. economy and personal finances registered the largest one-month advance since the end of 2011, according to University of Michigan survey data released Friday. Sentiment index rose to 97.6 (est. 94) from 93.4 in July.

U.S. Industrial Production rose by 0.2%

U.S. factory output fell in July, pulled down by tumbling auto production. The Federal Reserve says factory production dropped 0.1 percent last month. Overall industrial production — which adds output by mines and utilities — rose 0.2 percent. Mining output rose 0.5 percent, and utility production rose 1.6 percent. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast industrial production increasing 0.3 percent in July.

Unemployment Claims decreased to 232,000

In the week ending August 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 232,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 244,000. The 4-week moving average was 240,500, a decrease of 500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 241,000.