Highlights of the December 2015 US retail sales report:

  • US Dec advance retail sales -0.1% vs -0.1% expected
  • Prior was +0.2%
  • Retail sales ex-autos -0.1% vs +0.2% expected
  • Prior ex autos +0.4%
  • Retail sales ex-autos and gas 0.0% vs +0.4% expected
  • Prior ex-autos and gas +0.5%
  • Control group -0.3% vs +0.3% exp
  • Prior control group +0.6%

Soft details. USD/JPY bust to fresh 2016 lows at a low of 116.67.

S&P 500 futures now down 40 points.

The soft spots were electronics, general merchandise and misc store retailers. Another line that's instructive is the one of the far left, showing year-over-year changes. Total sales were up 2.2%, which I would classify as 'dismal'.