US Retail Sales Edge Up 0.1% in April, Beating Expectations

US Retail Sales Edge Higher in April, Beating Expectations

US Retail Sales rose by 0.1% in April to $724.1 billion, slightly above market expectations for no change, according to data released Thursday by the US Census Bureau. The result followed a revised 1.5% increase in March (up from the originally reported 1.4%), signaling ongoing resilience in consumer spending despite economic uncertainties.

On a yearly basis, retail sales were up 5.2%, reflecting solid growth. However, the retail trade component, which excludes categories like food services and auto sales, declined by 0.1% from the previous month, suggesting some weakness in discretionary spending.

The report also noted that total sales from February to April 2025 were 4.8% higher compared to the same period in 2024, underlining continued momentum in consumer demand.

Despite the better-than-expected headline number, the US Dollar Index (DXY) remained under mild bearish pressure, trading below the 101.00 mark following the release, as markets weigh the data's implications for future monetary policy.