October US Retail Sales Below Expectations, Ex-Auto Sales Jump

08:55 AM EST, 12/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US retail sales held steady in October, below the 0.1% increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following the previous month's 0.1% gain.

Excluding a 1.6% decrease in motor vehicle sales, retail sales were up 0.4% compared with an expected 0.2% gain. That followed a 0.1% gain in September.

Removing both motor vehicles and a 0.8% drop in gasoline station sales, retail sales were up 0.5% in October after a flat reading in September. A 0.4% gain was expected.

Sales at food services and drinking places fell 0.4% after a 0.2% gain in the previous month and building materials sales fell by 0.9% after a 0.1% drop. These were offset by sales gains for furniture, sporting goods and at department stores, among other categories.

The monthly retail sales report from the US Commerce Department measures spending on retail products and food, the largest portion of economic growth. The report covers spending on goods with a services report released later each month.

Investors watch the control group that excludes food services, autos, gasoline and building materials because it feeds directly into the GDP report measuring economic growth.

If the data shows a strong US economy, that's generally bullish for stocks and bearish for bonds.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.