U.S. retail sales might have fallen again by 0.4% M/M in October. The decrease is likely connected to lower consumer spending at gasoline stations. Although chain stores have reported reasonably good sales, a modest decline looks likely. Retail sales fell by 0.4% mom in September, but that was mainly due to gasoline prices plummeting, because, less sales at gasoline stations, there was a marked increase by 0.6% mom, explained Peter Meister, economist at BHF-Bank A. “ In October, average gasoline prices fell by 12% mom, almost as much as in the previous month,” he said. “In addition, vehicle sales decreased by about 4%. We thus expect nominal retail sales to have declined by another 0.4% mom (less cars: –0.2% mom) in October.” Meister added.