Today the Government is scheduled to release its report on August retail sales.

August retail sales dropped four-tenths of a percent, to $149.6 billion.

Ford's August sales rose 8.2 percent, though it lost market share.

Subaru of America announced August sales were its best since 1989.

Land Rover reported August sales of 1,714, down 27.3 percent from 1998.

There were some indications of strength in the retailers' August sales.

Data on August new-home sales today are likely to show an increase, and that in turn helps explain why the manufacturing sector is doing better.

For the industry as a whole, August sales reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 15.6 million.

The August sales had the effect of stealing from those ordinarily expected in September.

Stocks of auto companies, which reported improved early August sales on Tuesday, led the way.