Gainers

• SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) up 0.49% to $108.99. Indexes are higher today as initial jobless claims came in below expectations, 472K versus the consensus of 475K. Continuing claims topped views, but were down month-over-month. PowerShares QQQ (Nasdaq: QQQQ) is trading 0.54% higher as well today.
• SPDR S&P Retail (NYSE: XRT) up 2.03%to $38.12. The beginning of the month brings up retail sales numbers. Many retailers reported having a rather solid August, with companies like Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO), Macy’s (NYSE: M), Abercrombie (NYSE: ANF), and TJX Co.’s (NYSE: TJX) all reporting an