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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| US sees retail sales climb 0.2% | US sees retail sales climb 0.2% |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US retail sales edged upwards in March, beating analysts' expectations, according to the Commerce Department. | |
| Retail sales climbed 0.2% in the month, after a 0.4% fall in February, which was revised upwards from a 0.6% fall. | |
| Consumer spending is closely watched in the US because it accounts for about two-thirds of total economic activity. | Consumer spending is closely watched in the US because it accounts for about two-thirds of total economic activity. |
| However, analysts remained cautious after a consumer survey late last week showed shopper sentiment had fallen to its lowest level in 26 years. | However, analysts remained cautious after a consumer survey late last week showed shopper sentiment had fallen to its lowest level in 26 years. |
| The main driver of sales was stronger demand at petrol service stations, where sales climbed by 1.1% in March. | |
| However, analysts warned that the retail sales figures were weak when petrol sales were not taken into account. | |
| "If we go back to Friday's weak consumer numbers, it bodes ill for retail sales going forward," said Matthew Strauss of RBC Capital Markets. | |
| Christopher Low of FTN Financial pointed out that there was still "weakness in furniture, electronics, building materials and clothing". |