Retail Sales, Univ of MIch consumer sentiment

Seems 16 states had sales tax holidays in August that might have caused August sales to be up a bit and perhaps ‘borrow’ from September:

Tax Holidays

Note the area circled in orange shows a steady decline in the monthly growth rate, with a small uptick in August. We’ll see if that holds through September:

Retail Sales


Highlights
The consumer sector appears to be stronger than indicated by employment data. The consumer is out spending. Retail sales jumped 0.6 percent in August after a rise of 0.3 percent the month before. Analysts projected 0.6 percent for August. The July upward revision was significant-previous estimate of zero.

Excluding autos, sales gained 0.3 percent in both August and July, matching expectations. Excluding both autos and gasoline sales were quite healthy, increasing 0.5 percent, following a rise of 0.3 percent in July. Expectations were for 0.4 percent.

By detail, not surprisingly, motor vehicles increased 1.5 percent. Next, building materials & garden equipment gained 1.4 percent-suggesting some improvement in housing. Food services & drinking places sales were up 0.6 percent, showing healthy improvement in discretionary spending. This is a good sign for the consumer sector.

Weakness was led by a 0.8 percent decline in gasoline sales. Also, general merchandise dipped 0.1 percent.

Overall, August retail sales were healthy and point to moderately strong third quarter GDP growth. Economic news has oscillated in recent months but consumer spending may be suggesting that the economy is stronger than suggested by labor market numbers.


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