On Tuesday, October 7, 2008, new about August's Consumer Borrowing gave us a big hint about 3rd Quarter Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  An Ominous sign, falling by $7.9 billion or 3.7%, the Fed's measure does NOT cover borrowing secured by real estate!!!  You can visit the Bloomberg.com article here.

                                              
As you can imagine these numbers, concerning consumer's buying habits BEFORE the crisis really hit the markets, are quite telling.  Consumer spending is 70% of real GDP and if consumers are not borrowing, buying is probably going to fall.  I am sure these numbers are a part fo the mindset of investors.  The advance estimate for 3rd Quarter Real GDP will be published at the end of October but we have many clues already.