US core retail sales flat; industrial production falls

US consumer spending appears to have slowed further in January, with sales at clothing stores declining by the most since 2009, which could raise concerns about the economy's ability to continue expanding at a moderate pace.
The economy's outlook was also dimmed by other data on Friday showing industrial production decreased for a second straight month in January as unseasonably warm weather depressed demand for utilities and Boeing suspended production of it troubled 737 MAX plane. The reports prompted economists to lower their economic growth estimates for the first quarter.
They followed on the heels of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's remarks to lawmakers this week that the "economy is in a very good place, performing well." The US central bank last month left interest rates steady. The Fed is widely expected to keep monetary policy on hold this year after it reduced borrowing costs three times in 2019.
Retail sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services were unchanged last month. Data for December was revised down to show the so-called core retail sales rising 0.2 per cent instead of jumping 0.5 per cent as previously reported. Core retail sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product.
Consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast core retail sales rising 0.3 per cent last month. The unchanged reading in core retail sales suggested consumer spending lost further momentum early in the first quarter after losing considerable speed in the October to December quarter.
The economy grew 2.3 per cent in 2019, slowing from 2.9 per cent in 2018. With business investment continuing to falter and manufacturing struggling, solid consumer spending necessary to keep the longest economic expansion on record, now in its 11th year, on track.
In a separate report on Friday, the Fed said industrial production fell 0.3 per cent in January after decreasing 0.4 per cent in December. Industrial output was pulled down by a 4.0 drop in utilities production. A 7.4 per cent plunge in the production of aerospace and miscellaneous transportation equipment also weighed on industrial output last month.
The dollar little changed against a basket of currencies, while US Treasury prices rose.
Boeing drag
Boeing last month suspended the production of the MAX plane, which has been grounded since last March following two deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Boeing's biggest assembly-line halt in more than 20 years is seen disrupting the supply chain. Economists estimate the production suspension could slice at least half a percentage point from first-quarter GDP growth.
Consumer spending is slowing despite a strong labor market, which is steadily lifting wages. Economists expect further moderation as the coronavirus makes households cautious about spending.
In January, overall retail sales rose 0.3 per cent, but data for December was revised down to show sales gaining 0.2 per cent instead of climbing 0.3 per cent as previously reported. Sales were lifted by a auto purchases, which rebounded 0.2 per cent after slumping 1.7 per cent in December. Receipts at service stations fell 0.5 per cent. Sales at electronics and appliance stores decreased 0.5 per cent. Sales at building material stores jumped 2.1 per cent, the most since last August, after rising 1.3 per cent in December. Sales were likely boosted by unseasonably mild weather, which has boosted activity in the construction sector.
Receipts at clothing stores dropped 3.1 per cent last month, the most since March 2009. Clothing retailers have been struggling with plummeting mall traffic as consumers opt for online shopping. Macy's announced this month plans to close 125 of its least productive stores over the next three years and cut more than 2,000 corporate jobs.
Online and mail-order retail sales rose 0.3 per cent. That followed a 0.1 per cent dip in December. Receipts at furniture stores rose 0.6 per cent.
Americans boosted spending at restaurants and bars, with sales increasing 1.2 per cent. But they cut back on spending at health and personal care stores. Spending at hobby, musical instrument and book stores edged up 0.1 per cent.
- Reuters