Retail Sales Post Surprise Drop, While Jobless Claims Rise

Talking down the economy? Nope, just the facts ma'am.

Sales at U.S. retailers unexpectedly fell in July from June, a government report showed on Thursday, casting a shadow over an anticipated rebound in consumer spending in the third quarter.

First-time jobless claims also rose unexpectedly to 558,000.

The Commerce Department said total retail sales edged down 0.1 percent from increasing a revised 0.8 percent in June.

Sales in June were initially reported to have risen 0.6 percent