Producers take a hit

- The Producer Price Index for August fell -.9% versus estimates of a -.5% decline and a 1.2% increase in July.

- The PPI Ex Food & Energy for August rose .2% versus estimates of a .2% gain and a .7% increase in July.

- Advance Retail Sales for August fell -.3% versus estimates of a .2% gain and a downwardly revised -.5% decline in July.

- Retail Sales Less Autos for August fell -.7% versus estimates of a -.2% decline and a .3% increase in July.

- Preliminary Univ. of Mich. Consumer Confidence for September jumped to 73.1 versus estimates of 64.0 and a reading of 63.0 in August.