Retail sales increased 0.2% in February, less than expected; ex-autos up 0.3%, meeting estimate
Portfolio Pulse from
The US Commerce Department reported retail sales increased by 0.2% in February, falling short of the Dow Jones consensus estimate of 0.6%. Excluding automotive sales, retail sales rose 0.3%, which matched analyst expectations. This modest growth suggests potential softening in consumer spending and economic momentum.
March 18, 2025 | 11:30 am
News sentiment analysis
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NEGATIVE IMPACT
The SPDR S&P Retail ETF may experience slight downward pressure due to the underwhelming retail sales report, indicating potential challenges in the consumer discretionary sector.
The slower-than-expected retail sales growth could negatively impact retail-focused ETFs like XRT, as it suggests potential weakness in consumer spending and retail sector performance.
CONFIDENCE 75
IMPORTANCE 70
RELEVANCE 80