US consumption shows no sign of weakness. Retail sales picked up again in April, albeit slightly weaker than expected. Revenue rose 0.9 percent from the previous month, the Department of Commerce announced in Washington on Tuesday. Analysts had expected an average increase of 1.0 percent. The increase in the previous month was revised significantly upwards: the original increase of 0.5 percent was raised to 1.4 percent.
Excluding the often fluctuating earnings from auto sales, sales in April rose 0.6 percent. An increase of 0.4 percent had been expected here. In this definition, too, the rise in the previous month was revised upwards. Retailer sales serve as a guide to the strength of US consumption, which is particularly important for US economic development. (dpa)