Falling US retail sales cast doubt on further Fed interest rate rise

Indications that US economy has slowed in recent months will give policymakers plenty to debate as they decide when to next to raise rates

Falling retail sales and lower inflation in the US have added to signs that the world's biggest economy has lost momentum in recent months, casting doubt over how many more times the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year.

Stronger takings at clothing and electronics stores in March were not enough to offset a continued drop in demand for cars, according to figures from the US government (pdf). As a result, retail sales fell for the second month running.

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