REPEAT:MNI DATA ANALYSIS:US April Sales +0.3%,Ex-MV +0.3%>

Repeats Story Initially Transmitted at 12:30 GMT May 15/08:30 ET May 15

--April Retail Sales Ex. Auto, Gas, Bldg Mat, Food Service +0.4%

By Kevin Kastner and Holly Stokes

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The value of retail sales rose by 0.3% in April, 

right on analysts' expectations for a 0.3% gain, and were also up 0.3% 

excluding motor vehicle sales, data released by the Commerce Department 

Tuesday showed. 

     Analysts have recently had a tendency to overestimate sales, so 

today's data keeps that trend for the ex-motor vehicle number, which was 

expected to rise 0.5% 

--MOTOR VEHICLES POST SURPRISE GAIN

     Leading the gain in headline retail sales was a small surprise gain 

in motor vehicles, which posted a 0.1% increase after a 2.1% surge in 

the previous month. Analysts had expected vehicle sales to give back 

some of that March jump. 

     Gasoline station sales rose by 0.8% in the month after an upward 

revised 0.3% March increase, as foreshadowed by recent gains in the AAA 

data. 

     However, food services and drinking places' sales were softer in 

April, registering a 0.3% decrease after rising by an upward revised 

1.2% in March. Building materials sales rebounded by 0.4% following a 

1.0% decrease in March. 

     Retail sales excluding autos, gasoline, and building materials rose 

by 0.3% in the month. Further, excluding food services as well as the 

other three measures, retail sales rose 0.4%. 

     Other sales categories were generally higher, with the strong gain 

seen in clothing sale, which rose 1.4%. However, there were declines in 

the readings for health care stores, electronics stores, and sporting 

goods stores. 

--2Q CONSUMPTION OFF TO A BETTER START

     Incorporating upward revisions to both February and March sales, 

April retail sales are up 3.3% at an annual rate from the first quarter 

average, a much better start than the weakness seen early in the first 

quarter. 

     Sales excluding motor vehicles were up 3.0% from the previous 

quarter, while sales excluding autos, building materials, and gas were 

up 2.9%. When food services were also excluding, April sales were up 

3.0% at an annual rate from the first quarter. 

     The comparisons suggest a solid start to second quarter 

consumption. Annual revisions to be released on May 25 could alter the 

current projections. 

     ** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **