Data released by the US Census Bureau a few moments ago showed an increase in US retail sales by about 0.7% in September, better than expectations that it had declined to -0.2%, to adjust the August reading to 0.9%. The main index, excluding auto prices, rose by 0.8%, better than expectations that it would rise to 0.5%, to adjust the August reading to a rise of about 2%.
In the details of the index, furniture sales rose by 0.2% and building materials sales rose by 0.1%. The largest increase in the index came from the sporting goods sector, up by 3.7%, while sales of health and personal care stores by 1.4%.
Meanwhile, business activity in New York State in the Empire State Manufacturing Survey grew less than expected in October by 19.8 points, compared to 34.3 in September’s reading, and less than expectations, which indicated a decline to 24.9 points.
On the other hand, US import prices rose by 0.4% in September after declining by -0.3% in August, but it came less than expectations, which indicated a rise of 0.6%, as this rise in imports was driven by the rise in fuel prices.
The general index of the US dollar is trading at 94.02 levels, an increase of about 0.08%, and the index is heading to close its first week, down by 0.06%, less than nine hours ago, to close the weekly session after rising for five consecutive weeks, unless the index rises to the highest levels of 94.10 after the opening of the American markets.