Can A Strong US Consumer Maintain Sufficient Global Economic Growth For Markets to Outperform? The U.S. consumer continues to be the backstop for the global economy as unemployment remains at record lows, debt service obligations reach a 45 year low and savings rates close in on 8 percent. Retail sales have now risen for six straight months and look to accelerate into the 3.5 to 4.0% range which is very healthy. Offsetting this robust picture is the trade war with China, whic