Sept retail sales +0.1% vs +0.6% expected...>

US DATA: Sept retail sales +0.1% vs +0.6% expected by analysts and +0.4% 

expected by markets, while ex-mtr veh -0.1% vs +0.4% expected, with 

gains in motor vehicles lifting up the headline numbers. Aug sales were unrev. 

- Vehicle sales +0.8% in line with expectations for a solid gain by 

analysts as autos damaged by Hurricane Florence were replaced.

- Gas station sales -0.8%, while sales would have been +0.2% ex. gas. 

Looking deeper, Sept sales ex. mtr veh and gas were flat and +0.5% 

ex auto, bldg mat, gas and food services, suggesting underlying growth 

is mixed after a soft Aug report.

- Building materials sales +0.1%, while food services -1.8%, clothing 

sales +0.5%, and department stores -0.8%.  

- Third quarter retail sales were +5.1% vs the second quarter average at 

an annual rate. Ex. mtr veh, retail sales were +6.4% SAAR and were +4.8% 

ex. autos, bldg materials, gas, and food services.