What to expect in the February US Retail Sales report?

The headline Retail Sales are likely to expand by 0.8% from a month earlier, following the monthly 0.8% drop recorded in the previous month. Core Retail Sales, which exclude the automobile sector, are seen increasing by 0.5% on a monthly basis.

Ahead of the release, analysts at TD Securities noted that “we also look for retail sales to rebound a strong 0.8% m/m in February following January's retreat of a similar magnitude. Volatile auto and gasoline station sales will likely boost growth, with the control group also acting as a key driver.”