Data released moments before by the US Census Bureau showed an increase in US retail sales last month, but below market expectations, as sales rose by about 0.5% in March, compared to an increase of about 0.8% in the revised February reading, while expectations indicated a rise by 0.6%.

Core sales, excluding car prices, recorded a growth in March of 1.1%, compared to a growth of about 0.6% in the positively revised February reading, better than expectations that indicated a 1% growth.