Retail sales, McDonald's battles Taco Bell and U.S. energy independence

The three major indices are trading mixed today with the Dow (^DJI) and S&P 500 (^GSPC) in the green and the Nasdaq (^IXIC) in the red following some bank earnings and a slightly disappointing March retail sales number.

Here are some of the other stories Yahoo Finance is keeping an eye on today.

Retail sales
March came in like a bit of a lion at the nation’s retailers. Sales came in up nine-tenths of a percent. That’s the first increase since November…but below economists’ forecasts.

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Economic peak?
The U.S. consumer is just one factor to weigh when judging the state of the economy. Yahoo Finance’s Aaron Task says based on data like non-farm payrolls, GDP and yes, retail sales, the best of the U.S. economy may be behind us. Specifically, back in Q4 of 2014.

Energy independence
Oil prices are higher today on expectations U.S. crude production will slow. Peter Kenny, Chief Market Strategist at Clearpool Group,says that slowing production is actually good news for America’s energy future.

McDonald’s vs. Taco Bell
McDonald’s (MCD) apparently has a new way to take on the breakfast competition from Taco Bell (YUM) McDonald’s in Northeast Pennsylvania are offering a free Egg McMuffin to anyone who brings in a Taco Bell receipt.

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