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Analysis

Two series, one timeline

Overlay any two indicators over the window where both exist. Jan 1992 to Apr 2026.

Retail Sales(Millions of dollars) Consumer Sentiment(Index 1966:Q1=100)
2001 RecessionGlobal Financial CrisisCOVID-19 Recession$200B$300B$400B$500B$600B$700B50607080901001101995200020052010201520202025

Left axis: Retail Sales · RSAFS. Right axis: Consumer Sentiment · UMCSENT. Both from FRED, latest-revised, read from cache.

Correlation is not causation. Two lines moving together is not one moving the other. A shared trend often traces back to a third force, or to chance. This tool overlays the data. It does not explain it.