US Retail Sales Rose 0.6 Percent Amid Middle East Conflict

Retail sales in the United States rose by 0.6% in February, marking the strongest growth in seven months. This rebound, driven by increased motor vehicle purchases and warmer temperatures, suggests the economy was on solid footing before the escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict. However, the surge in energy costs following the outbreak of war threatens to dampen consumer spending in the coming months. Global prices for Brent Crude Oil have climbed more than 50%, while WT GASOLINE prices at the pump reached a national average of over $4 a gallon for the first time in three years.