Investing.com - U.S. retail sales were flat in April, while core sales also trailed estimates, fuelling concerns over the outlook for second quarter growth, according to data released on Wednesday.
The Commerce Department reported that retail sales were flat, compared to forecasts for a 0.2% increase.
Retail sales rose 1.1% in March, whose figure was revised from a previously reported 0.9%.
Rising retail sales over time correlate with stronger growth, while weaker sales signal slowing growth.
Core retail sales, which exclude automobile sales, rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.1%, after an upwardly revised 0.7% increase in March. Economists had forecast an increase of 0.5%
Core sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of the government's gross domestic product report. Consumer spending accounts for as much as 70% of U.S. economic growth.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was at 94.21 from around 94.55 ahead of the report, holding above last week’s two-month trough of 93.96.
U.S. stock futures pointed to a mixed open. The Dow futures pointed to a loss of 0.2%, the S&P 500 futures added 0.22%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.32%.