Consumer Sentiment Signals Caution After Solid US Retail Sales

US retail sales rose in July in a broad-based advance and the prior month was revised higher, though economists were cautious on the trend going forward given a softening jobs market and weaker consumer sentiment.

The value of retail purchases, not adjusted for inflation, increased 0.5% after an upwardly revised 0.9% gain in June, Commerce Department data showed Friday. Excluding cars, sales climbed 0.3%.