US retail sales jump in March
After a very difficult start to 2010 it now appears as though the US economy is now on a much firmer footing with signs of an improvement in US retail sales. This comes at a time when many analysts and experts around the world have cast doubt on the perceived recovery in the US economy which is ultimately vital to any recovery in the worldwide economy.
Retail sales in the US improved 1.6% between February and March and by an impressive 8.2% over the last 12 months. This is just the kind of news which the US authorities have been crying out for amid concerns that the economic recovery was potentially being derailed. It is unlikely we will see any increase in US interest rates in the short to medium term, unless inflation raises its ugly head, as there is still much work to be done with regards to investment in the US economy.
This apparent recovery in US retail sales is likely to have a positive impact upon many investment markets around the world which often look to the US for direction. However, we have been here on numerous occasions in the past only to see a potential recovery falter and fall by the wayside, although this time it does appear to be different.
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