UK Retail Sales Lower Than Expected đ
UK retail sales grew 0.2% month-over-month in November 2024, rebounding from a 0.7% decline in October but missing forecasts, as growth in food and non-food stores was offset by a fall in clothing sales, with economic factors affecting consumer spending.
The article suggests a slowdown in UK consumer spending, with retail sales growth missing expectations. This could have a moderate negative impact on the portfolio, as the UK and European markets make up a significant portion of the investments. The decline in clothing sales, a key consumer discretionary sector, also indicates weakening consumer confidence, which could affect other sectors in the portfolio.
US Retail Sales Above Forecasts đ
US retail sales increased 0.7% month-over-month in November 2024, exceeding forecasts, driven by strong consumer spending during the holiday season, particularly in motor vehicles, non-store retailers, and sporting goods.
The robust retail sales growth in the US, particularly in key sectors like motor vehicles, non-store retailers, and sporting goods, suggests strong consumer demand and a healthy economic environment. This is likely to have a moderately positive impact on the investment portfolio, which has significant exposure to the US equity market through the S&P 500 and other holdings.
Canadian Retail Sales Flat in November âšī¸
Canadian retail sales remained unchanged in November 2024 after a 0.6% increase in October, driven by higher turnover in motor vehicle, furniture, health, and apparel retailers, while gasoline and food/beverage retailers saw declines.
The article indicates that Canadian retail sales were flat in November 2024, following a modest increase in October. While some sectors like motor vehicles, furniture, and apparel saw higher turnover, others like gasoline and food/beverage retailers experienced declines. Given the mixed performance across different retail segments, the overall impact on the provided investment portfolio is likely to be neutral, as the portfolio is diversified across various markets and industries.