US retail sales were firmer than predicted for August, rising 0.6% month-on-month at the headline level, while ex autos gained 0.7% MoM relative to 0.2% and 0.4% consensus forecasts respectively. The control group, which excludes volatile components such as autos, gasoline, food service and building materials, better tracks broader consumer spending trends and that rose 0.7% versus 0.4% predictions. In terms of components, non-store, so largely the internet, posted a 2% MoM increase, with clothing up 1% and "eating/drinking out of home" gaining 0.7%. Furniture, health, general merchandise and miscellaneous all saw ... (full story)