US DATA: Aug retail sales flat, ex-mtr veh +0.1%, both well below
expecations of matching 0.3% gains and following downward revisions to
the previous two months. Mtr veh sales -0.3%, gasoline station sales
+0.3%, while the remaining categories +0.1% combined. Sales were up for
larger categories such as grocery stores and nonstore retailers, but
there were declines in sales for dining out, clothing, and furniture.
Despite the flat Aug reading and the downward revision to July, total
sales are still +1.6% SAAR in 3Q, and +2.1% ex. motor vehicles.