 U.S. crude oil backed down to where it was at the end of June, around $80 a barrel. Retail sales better than expected last month. Americans opened their wallets to spend. A dip was expected. The consumer, the backbone of the U.S. economy, continues to remain on relatively solid footing. There is still a good amount of borrowing and spending power on part of the consumer. Stiefel's Lindsay Piegza on CNBC. Two of the categories that continue to do very well are the restaurant sector. People are eating out.