I=8
- Advanced retail sales fell 0.8% in January versus growth of 0.4% in December (revised down from 0.6%) and exceeding expectations for a 0.2% decline as consumers pulled back after the holiday season and due to severe winter weather.
- Excluding autos, retail sales fell 0.6% below estimates for a 0.2% gain.
- Control group sales which excludes food services, auto dealers, building materials stores and gasoline stations declined 0.4%, lower than estimates for a 0.2% increase.
- The numbers are not adjusted for inflation which was up 0.3% on a monthly basis.
- Stocks were unmoved by the weak numbers-S&P 500 futures rose 0.1%, Nasdaq Composite futures were flat while Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2%.
