BREAKING: US RETAIL SALES BELOW EXPECTATIONS
Why is this reading important? Retail sales are one of the key indicators of consumer health in the US, which accounts for most of the economic growth. The data, especially when excluding cars and fuel, allows for an assessment of the real strength of demand and the current pace of economic activity. Continued sales growth indicates consumer resilience despite high interest rates. From the Federal Reserve’s perspective, this reading influences the assessment of demand pressure and expectations for future rate cuts, and for financial markets, it shapes the valuation of the dollar, bonds, and stocks and reduces concerns about a












