April US Retail Sales Rise as Expected, Gasoline Sales Continue to Climb

08:44 AM EDT, 05/14/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US retail sales rose by 0.5% in April, as expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET and following the previous month's 1.6% gain.

Excluding a 0.4% decrease in motor vehicle sales, retail sales were up 0.7%, also as expected. That followed a 1.9% gain in March.

Removing both motor vehicles and a 2.8% gain in gasoline station sales, retail sales were up 0.5% in April after a 0.7% increase in March. Sales at food services and drinking places rose by 0.6% after a 0.1% gain in the previous month.

There were also notable sales gains for electronics, groceries, sporting goods, and at nonstore retailers that were offset by declines in sales for furniture and clothing.

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.