Investing.com – Retail sales in the U.S. rose less-than-expected in December, climbing at the weakest pace in seven months, while core retail sales declined unexpectedly, official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau said that retail sales rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.1% in December, falling short of expectations for a 0.3% increase.
November’s figure was revised up to a 0.4% gain from a previously reported 0.2% increase.
Year-over-year, retail sales rose at an annualized rate of 6.5% in December, after advancing at a revised rate of 7.0% in the previous month.
Core retail sales, which exclude automobile sales, declined by 0.2% last month, confounding expectations for a 0.3% gain.
Core retail sales rose by 0.3% in November, upwardly revised from a previously reported 0.2% gain.
Core retail sales rose at an annualized rate of 6.0% last month after climbing at a rate of 6.8% in October.
Rising retail sales over time correlate with stronger economic growth; weaker sales signal a declining economy.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained lower against the euro, with EUR/USD rising 0.25% to trade at 1.2739.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures trimmed gains after the release of the data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a modest 0.05% increase, S&P 500 futures pointed to a gain of 0.15%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.1%.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau said that retail sales rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.1% in December, falling short of expectations for a 0.3% increase.
November’s figure was revised up to a 0.4% gain from a previously reported 0.2% increase.
Year-over-year, retail sales rose at an annualized rate of 6.5% in December, after advancing at a revised rate of 7.0% in the previous month.
Core retail sales, which exclude automobile sales, declined by 0.2% last month, confounding expectations for a 0.3% gain.
Core retail sales rose by 0.3% in November, upwardly revised from a previously reported 0.2% gain.
Core retail sales rose at an annualized rate of 6.0% last month after climbing at a rate of 6.8% in October.
Rising retail sales over time correlate with stronger economic growth; weaker sales signal a declining economy.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained lower against the euro, with EUR/USD rising 0.25% to trade at 1.2739.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures trimmed gains after the release of the data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a modest 0.05% increase, S&P 500 futures pointed to a gain of 0.15%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.1%.