Retail sales rose in September for the first time in 13 months, fueling hopes that the worst is behind retailers that head into the holiday season better prepared for a tough economic environment.

The retail sector is all over the news. Unfortunately, the headlines are almost all negative. As unemployment risks remain high, consumers refuse to spend.

Corporate earnings will take center stage again this week as certain financials hope to follow last week’s upbeat announcement by banking giant Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) with some decent earnings reports of their own.

China unveiled yesterday (Sunday) what it described as a “massive” economic stimulus package – a planned capital infusion of $586 billion that it plans to use to reverse its slowing growth, to loosen credit and to offset slowing global growth by stoking domestic demand.

OPEC to Meet in November; Iceland Melts Down; Unemployment Improves; Micron Makes Cuts; National City Next to Fall?; No Christmas Cheer for Retailers

Analysts are trumpeting the recent drop in oil prices as a step toward normalcy. But is this celebration premature? Or perhaps even misplaced? After all, we all know that over the long haul, energy prices are headed in only one direction – higher.

Although consumers and businesses have gotten a bit of a reprieve at the gas pump as of late, says William Patalon in Money Morning, the escalation in oil prices we’ve seen over the past year has led to some major changes in overall consumer behavior. Many car-owners have dumped their gas-guzzling pickup trucks and SUVs at the nearest used-car lot and used the proceeds to buy some gas-sipping rides.

The U.S. economy is certifiably lousy, says Lynn Carpenter in Investor’s Daily Edge. Many businesses are looking for a turnaround. There are many factors affecting the success of a turnaround. A company needs to have a clear direction of what it is and where it is going. And it needs a brand name that has not been dragged through the mud. More from Lynn…