<div id="readability-page-1"><p>The S&amp;P 500 (SPX) is trading higher on Thursday following a retail sales update from the U.S. Census Bureau.</p><h3>Claim 55% Off TipRanks</h3>New trading tool for QQQ bulls <p>U.S. retail sales rose 0.5% month-over-month in April, in line with expectations but falling from 1.6% in March. Retail sales have now grown for three consecutive months. Core retail sales, which exclude categories like autos and gas, climbed 0.7% and also matched the estimate while falling from 1.9% in the prior month.</p> <h2><strong>Consumers Stay Resilient Despite Elevated Gas Prices</strong></h2> <p>The data signals that consumers have remained resilient in light of higher energy prices caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Since the start of the U.S.-Iran war, the price of a gallon of gas in the U.S. has surged 52%, or $1.55, to $4.53. At the same time, retail sales data isn't adjusted for inflation, meaning the growth could reflect higher prices.</p> <p>In addition, tax refunds and a rally in stocks may have provided a temporary boost to consumer spending.</p></div>

SCHG

IUSV

<p>The S&P 500 is up following a U.S. retail sales report showing a 0.5% increase in April, marking three consecutive months of growth. Core retail sales rose 0.7%, both figures meeting expectations but lower than previous months. Despite rising gas prices, consumers remain resilient, with gas prices increasing 52% due to the U.S.-Iran conflict. The retail sales data, however, is not adjusted for inflation, suggesting that growth may be influenced by higher prices and factors like tax refunds and stock market gains.</p>

- The S&P 500 is trading higher following U.S. retail sales data showing a 0.5% increase in April.  
- Core retail sales rose 0.7%, with growth occurring for three consecutive months, despite elevated gas prices stemming from the U.S.-Iran war.  
- The increase in retail sales may reflect higher prices due to inflation, supported by tax refunds and stock market gains.

S&P 500 Jumps as U.S. Retail Sales Post Third Straight Month of Growth