In the US session Retail Sales, Industrial Production and Consumer Sentiment data was published. An unexpected decline in August retail sales and downward revisions to the prior two months mainly reflected weaker results at auto dealerships, Commerce Department figures showed Friday. Overall sales fell 0.2% (est. 0.1% gain) after a 0.3% increase (prev. 0.6% gain); June sales dropped 0.1% (prev. 0.3% rise).
Industrial production declined 0.9 percent in August following six consecutive monthly gains. Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Gulf Coast of Texas in late August, is estimated to have reduced the rate of change in total output by roughly 3/4 percentage point. The index for manufacturing decreased 0.3 percent; storm-related effects appear to have reduced the rate of change in factory output in August about 3/4 percentage point.
U.S. consumer sentiment dipped in September as Americans expressed concern about the economic and inflationary impact of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, University of Michigan survey data showed Friday. Preliminary sentiment index fell to 95.3 (est. 95) from 96.8 in August. Current conditions gauge, which measures Americans’ perceptions of their personal finances, increased to 113.9 from 110.9. Expectations measure decreased to 83.4 from 87.7.
There will be no major releases both from Australia and USA on Friday so we can expect a bit steadier session.
