Many large consumer-focused American companies are multinational brands that are worried about a global economic slowdown underway, starting with China.
Slow growth abroad translates into weak sales for U.S. multinationals like KFC-parent Yum Brands, (YUM) which announced last week it wouldn't meet its 2015 earnings goal due to weak sales in China.
Then there is the dollar, which remains persistently stronger against other currencies. That means other U.S. companies' products are more expensive and less attractive to foreign buyers.
