Data released moments ago by the US Census Bureau showed that US retail sales rose to $729.2 billion, up 0.4from November’s revised reading of 0.8% from 0.7% (expected 0.6%), while they rose 3.9% on a straight basis.

Core sales, excluding auto prices, grew 0.4% in December, compared to a growth of about 0.2% in November and below expectations of 0.5% growth. In contrast, sales at auto and parts dealers rose 8.4%.