With this much-anticipated announcement rapidly approaching, beneficiaries can start pondering how much their Social Security check will increase due to the effects of inflation in the upcoming year. Retailers are attempting to capitalize on spending by their higher-earning customers. Costco is among several retail giants, as well as heavy hitters in the restaurant and travel space, that are increasingly tailoring their offerings to appeal to this type of clientele as the economy weighs on lower- and middle-income consumers. Momentum traders are eyeing the "cost stock price" as MACD readings show bullish divergence. This, alongside upbeat consumer confidence surveys, may drive sustained buying pressure through the next reporting cycle.