Oct retail sales +0.2% vs flat reading ex...>

US DATA: Oct retail sales +0.2% vs flat reading expected, +0.1% ex mtr 

veh vs +0.2% expected, as motor vehicle sales +0.7% instead of falling. 

- Oct sales +0.3% ex. mv and gas and +0.3% ex auto, bldg materials, gas 

and food services, suggesting growth slowed, but remained positive.

- Gas station sales -1.2% (sales ex. gas +0.4%) and bldg mat -1.2%, 

pulling back from the hurricane-related surge, but other categories up.

- There was an upward revision to sales in Sept to +1.9% and +1.2 ex mv. 

- Oct total sales +6.0% vs 3Q average at an annual rate and were +4.2% 

ex motor vehicles and +2.6% ex autos, building materials, gas, and food 

services, suggesting a strong start for 4Q PCE.