The monthly retail sales figure matched market expectations, while the prior reading was 1.6%, according to the provided update.
U.S. retail sales increased 0.5% month over month in April, matching the 0.5% estimate cited in the update. The previous reading was 1.6%. Retail sales data is closely watched across financial markets, including crypto, because it can influence views on consumer demand, economic momentum, and the likely path of interest rates.