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US stocks fall as investors weigh solid retail sales data against Target's warning of weaker holiday spending

Nov 17, 2022, 03:44 IST
Business Insider
Traders work the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on May 05, 2022 in New York City.Michael M. Santiago/Getty
  • US stocks fell on Wednesday as investors digested retail sales data and Target's quarterly earnings.
  • Retail sales jumped 1.3% in October, ahead of estimates for a 1% gain, as consumers remain on solid footing.
  • Third-quarter earnings from Target disappointed investors as the retailer warned of a murky holiday shopping season.
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US stocks fell on Wednesday as investors weighed Target's disappointing third-quarter earnings results against solid retail sales data.

Retail sales jumped 1.3% in October to $694.5 billion, well ahead of estimates for a 1% gain, led by higher gas prices and auto sales. Sales were up 0.9% when excluding gas and auto sales. The data showed the ongoing resilience of the consumer despite elevated inflation and higher interest rates.

While retail sales jumped in October, one retailer was unable to fully capitalize off those gains. Target reported disappointing third-quarter earnings, which showed a drop in profits and a murky outlook for the upcoming holiday shopping season. The company also said it would launch a $3 billion cost-cutting plan.

"Although Target reported disappointing third quarter results, the October retail sales report underscores that a more discerning US consumer continues to spend. While credit cards are being used more frequently, consumers are taking advantage of earlier than usual holiday sales," LPL's chief global strategist Quincy Krosby told Insider.

The strong retail sales growth in October reinforces expectations that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates once again in December by at least 50 basis points.

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Here's where US indexes stood at the 4:00 p.m. ET close on Wednesday:

Here's what else happened today:

In commodities, bonds and crypto:

  • West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 1.62% to $85.51 per barrel. Brent crude, oil's international benchmark, dropped 1.12% to $92.81.
  • Gold rose 0.11% to $1,778.80 per ounce.
  • The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell 10 basis points to 3.68%.
  • Bitcoin dropped 1.96% to $16569, while ether fell 3.80% to $1,209.
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