“Stimmy” cheques hit US households in March; retail spending jumps

Summary:  US retail sales jumps in March; rise significantly larger than expected figure; stimulus payments, plus multiple other factors behind strength; rises in all retail categories; “vehicles and parts” the largest influence.   US retail sales had been trending up since late 2015 but, commencing in late 2018, a series of weak or negative monthly results led to a drop-off in the annual growth rate below 2.0% by the end...

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