Last week, economic reports were mixed. In the U.S., stronger retail sales and robust corporate earnings met higher CPI inflation. The euro area saw a rise in industrial output, while China’s Q2 growth was stronger. Inflation eased in Japan and India, but the UK faced rising price pressures. Major global stock indexes closed mostly flat or with modest weekly gains. U.S. Treasury yields eased, the US dollar strengthened, and oil prices retreated. Gold extends its consolidation but the range continues to look mature, and we may be close to this being resolved higher for the completion of a “triangle” continuation ... (full story)