AI Data Insight
The latest US total retail sales for Q3 2026 fell to approximately $763.6 billion, a decrease of about 0.6% from $768.6 billion in the previous period of Q2 2026, falling far short of the market expectation of a 0.1% increase. This decline was primarily driven by the fading of tax refund bonuses and the misalignment of promotional periods, leading to a significant drop in online sales and gas station revenues. Facing a dual cooling in employment and consumption, the market is reassessing the Federal Reserve's policy path and the potential risks of an economic slowdown.