Obama raised the payroll tax rate EMPLOYEES pay in the US, along with his new compulsory health taxes...to the tune of around $15,000 plus for the basic cover package. Blizzard conditions during February as well as people receiving their Christmas period credit card bills would also have contributed to the downturn in sales.
Three months of downturn would be a stronger indicator.
In regard to the DJIA it may simply be a reflection of people having nowhere else to place their money.
