US retail sales rise less than expected in July

At 12:30 GMT, the US economy released its reading for the retail sales index, which rose by 1.2% in July, but lower than forecasts of 2%, while the index rose by 8.4% in the previous reading after it was revised from 7.5%. 

The core reading (excluding food and fuel prices) rose by 1.9%, higher than forecasts of 1.3%, while the previous reading was at 8.3% after it was revised from 7.3%.