RETAIL SALES

Retail sales rose and industrial production powered ahead in April, further evidence the economic recovery was strengthening and broadening out.

U.S. retail sales rose and industrial production powered ahead in April, further evidence the economic recovery was strengthening and broadening out.

Sales at U.S. retailers rose more than expected in April, lifted by a surprise gain in motor vehicle purchases, government data showed on Friday.

Sales at U.S. retailers rose more than expected in April, raising cautious optimism that a recent bounce in consumer spending can be sustained.

Stock index futures fell on Friday on worries about the impact of heavy euro-zone debt loads on the global recovery, while investors were cautious ahead of retail sales data.

Stock index futures were lower on Friday as investors awaited a round of data, including consumer sentiment, that will provide a picture on the strength the economic recovery.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.2 to 0.3 percent at 4:54 a.m. ET, pointing to a weaker start on Wall Street on Friday.

Gold climbed to a second successive record high on Wednesday as investors bet that a proposed $1 trillion European rescue will either fail to prevent a worsening euro zone crisis or will stoke inflation.

The extreme market volatility of recent days has shaken investors, who still are seeking a clear explanation of what sent U.S. stocks into Thursday's dizzying intraday spiral.

The extreme market volatility of recent days has shaken investors, who still are seeking a clear explanation of what sent U.S. stocks into Thursday's dizzying intraday spiral.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Thursday after weaker-than-expected retail sales and the European Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged, disappointing investors who hoped the ECB would prevent a debt crisis from engulfing the euro zone.

The Australian Dollar fell again overnight, trading to a low of USD0.9025 due to ongoing risk aversion.

Electronics and luxury items were the fastest-growing U.S. sales categories in the retail sector in April, but weakness in apparel suggests that a sustained recovery in overall retail may be too soon to call, according to a report released on Tuesday.

The U.S. economy expanded at a 3.2 percent annual rate in the first quarter as consumers stepped up spending, the strongest sign yet a sustainable recovery is taking hold.

New orders for durable U.S. manufactured goods excluding transportation posted the largest gain in over two years in March while home sales hit an eight-month high, hinting at a pick-up in the pace of growth.

Permits to build new U.S. homes surged in March to a 17-month peak and construction activity was the most vigorous in more than a year, providing fresh evidence that economic prospects are brightening.

U.S. auto sales jumped 24.3 percent in March, the strongest result in months, led by a rebound at recall-hit Toyota Motor Corp , which offered record incentives aimed at putting the crisis behind it.

Mazda Motor Corp said it expects a single digit increase in March U.S. sales, lagging the projected growth in industry sales, after cutting back on sales to rental companies and incentives to consumers.

The Aussie Dollar was shaken yesterday after a disappointing set of retail sales figures and building approvals.

The Australian dollar advanced again for the second day against the Greenback pushed on by gains in commodities.

The Aussie rallied overnight after hawkish comments from RBA Governor Glenn Stevens sparked speculation that an interest rate hike may be ahead.