…Deficit grows. Retail sales stagnant. Saudis threaten to weaponize oil. Sears BK. Earnings ramp up. Financial Review by Sinclair Noe for 10-15-2018   DOW – 89 = 25,250 SPX – 16 = 2750 NAS – 66 = 7430 RUT + 6 = 1553 10 Y + .02 = 3.16% OIL + .38 = 71.72 GOLD + 9.20 = 1227.70   The major averages gyrated between positive and negative territory throughout the session. At its high of the day, the Dow rose as much as 142 points; it also fell as much as 96 points.   The U.S. recorded a $779 billion deficit in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, an increase of $113 billion, as spending climbed while revenue remained nearly flat. Outlays grew by $127 billion, or 3.2%, while government receipts rose 0.4%, or $14 billion. Compared to GDP, the deficit rose to 3.9%, up by 0.4 percentage points. Interest on the public debt shot up by $65 billion, or 14%, in part because the Treasury had to increase the principal on its inflation-protected securities. Rising interest rates and a bigger debt also played a role.   Retail sales rose just 0.1% for the second month in a row. Sales at U.S. retailers barely grew in September as Americans spent less at restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations, raising questions about whether the economy slowed toward the end of summer. Sales would have fallen if not for a big month at auto dealers. After a string of strong sales, ...