- Retail sales were higher in the U.S. than many economists forecast as clothing stores performed well in the last week of the month on heightened promotional activity.
- Also pitching in was the grocery and beverage stores category (SWY, KR, DEG, IMKTA, SVU, OTCPK:LQSIF, BDL) which had its strongest month since October 2006 with a 2% gain.