August retail sales were stronger than the month prior, underscoring how the US consumer has remained resilient despite rising interest rates. Retail sales rose 0.6% in August from the previous month, above Wall Street's estimates for 0.1% growth. Sales excluding auto and gas increased by 0.2%, above estimates for a 0.1% decline compiled by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, July's sales were revised down to a 0.5% increase from 0.7%. The report, released by the Commerce Department, offers a snapshot of consumer spending at a time when economic data has been coming in largely stronger than expected and the Federal Reserve has ... (full story)