The smoke continues to clear on big-box retailers having reported Q3 earnings, and economic prints continue the narrative, for the most part, that the economy remains on a slow trajectory toward lower inflation metrics. Major market indices are flat over the past five trading days, with the exception of the small-cap Russell 2000, which is down -2.5%. Speaking of retailers, Foot Locker FL put up impressive numbers this morning on its Q3 earnings report: coming in at $1.27 per share, earnings were +16.5% ahead of expectations for $1.09.