- Retail sales tracked higher in December, with nine out of twelve categories posted positive growth. A slight miss from the consensus economist estimate was probably offset by the upward revision in the tally for November retail sales.
- On a year-over-year comparison, the categories showing the biggest pop in December were furniture/home furnishings (+9.9%), building materials/garden equipment (+9.9%) and nonstore retailers (+12.7%).
- December marked the fourth consecutive month of positive retail sales.
- The month saw a good showing for restaurants, with sales up 0.7% M/M and 4.2% Y/Y. Department store sales lagged (-1.1% M/M, +0.5% Y/Y) during the crucial holiday month.
- ETFs: XLP, XLY, VDC, XRT, VCR, IBUY, RTH, RHS, RETL, FSTA, PBJ, FDIS, FXG, IYK, FXD, MENU, IYC, PEJ, PSL, EMTY, BITE, SCC, PSCC, RCD, UCC, PMR, UGE, CLIX, PSCD, PEZ, SZK, CNDF, FTXD, CNSF, JHMS, JHMC, XS, XD, FTXG.
- Now read: ETF Indicator Hits Century Mark
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