U.S. Retail Sales Slump
Consumers pulled back, sending U.S. retail sales to their biggest drop in over a year.
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Updated Aug 14, 6:37pm ETEvery side, every morning
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The reporting
U.S. retail sales fell 0.6% in July, the largest monthly decline since May 2025, after a revised 0.2% gain in June. The drop missed forecasts for a small increase and came as the boost from April and May tax-refund spending, World Cup purchases and Amazon Prime Day faded. Consumer sentiment also weakened: the University of Michigan preliminary August index fell to 51 from 55.2 in July, with only 8% expecting income growth to beat inflation. Together with the latest jobs report and two slower inflation readings, the data complicate any near-term Fed rate hike.
Analysis & opinion
The commentary is scattered.
weigh in — but each argues its own distinct claim, so no shared angle emerged. The other report the story straight.
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