Data released just moments ago from the US Census Bureau showed a decline in US retail sales in May, worse than market expectations. Sales fell to $715.4 billion, down 0.9% from a 0.1% gain in March, before being revised down to a -0.1% decline (expected -0.5%). They rose 3.3% year-over-year from 5.2% in April.
Core sales, excluding autos, fell 0.3% in May, compared to a 0.1% decline in April. Non-store retail sales rose 8.3%, while food and beverage outlet sales rose 5.3%.