美国8月零售销售环比增0.6%超预期 实际零售销售连续11个月增长

Core Insights - US consumer spending showed unexpectedly strong momentum in August, with retail sales data increasing for the third consecutive month. Real retail sales adjusted for inflation grew by 2.1% year-over-year, marking the 11th consecutive month of positive growth [1][5]. Retail Sales Performance - August retail sales increased by 0.6% month-over-month, surpassing the expected 0.2% and the previous value of 0.5% [1]. - Retail sales excluding automobiles rose by 0.7%, exceeding the forecast of 0.4% and matching the prior month's growth [1]. - Retail sales excluding automobiles and gasoline also increased by 0.7%, again above the expected 0.4% [1]. Sector Contributions - The retail growth in August was broad-based, with 9 out of 13 major categories reporting increases. Online retailers, clothing stores, and sporting goods stores were the primary drivers, likely reflecting back-to-school shopping [3]. - The restaurant sector rebounded with a 0.7% increase after a decline in the previous month [3]. - Despite expectations that auto sales would drag down overall data, this category continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace [3]. Key Indicators - A critical indicator known as the "control group" sales rose by 0.7% in August, significantly above the estimated 0.4%. This metric excludes food services, auto dealers, building material stores, and gas stations, serving as a core reference for calculating GDP [7]. Economic Context - Consumer spending capacity appears supported by several factors, including wage growth that outpaces inflation for many workers. Additionally, rising stock markets have contributed to a wealth effect, particularly benefiting higher-income groups [8]. - This strong performance contrasts with market concerns about economic slowdown and may influence Federal Reserve decision-making regarding interest rates [8].