Meanwhile, consumers have beaten back price increases at retail, as the seasonally adjusted Consumer Price Index for apparel fell in September from August, the first monthly decline in six months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Thursday.

FORBES: Cotton's Pinch on Clothing Stores Continues

In notable economic news this week, the Labor Department announced that the seasonally adjusted producer price index dropped by 0.8 percent last month, the second straight decline.

FORBES: Weekly Market Wrap

Zillow is predicting the non-seasonally adjusted 20-City Composite Home Price Index will decline by 3.2% on a year-over-year basis, while the 10-City Composite Home Price Index will show a year-over-year decline of 2.7%.

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