World Week Ahead: US consumer in focus

World Week Ahead: US consumer in focus
Jonathan Underhill
By Margreet Dietz Aug. 8 (BusinessDesk) - With Wall Street at record highs following Friday’s stronger-than-expected US jobs data, investors will eye the latest earnings from companies including Macy’s and Nordstrom as well as a report on retail sales.  A Labor Department report last Friday showed US payrolls rose by 255,000 last month, underpinning optimism about the outlook for the nation’s economy. That also raised expectations the Federal Reserve might raise interest rates this year, strengthening the US dollar.  Traders now see ab...