U.S. Retail Sales for December Disappoint

U.S. retail sales for December remained flat at 0.0% MoM, significantly below the forecast of +0.4% and the previous month's +0.6%. Year-over-year, the figure is +2.4% YoY — the lowest increase since 09/2024, despite December being the holiday shopping season in the U.S.
Most importantly, the (control group) contributing to GDP turned negative, decreasing by -0.1% MoM — a reversal from +0.2% last month and well below the +0.4% forecast.
December retail sales data indicate that U.S. consumer spending momentum continues to weaken, especially in core groups directly related to GDP. The market has priced in increased expectations of short-term monetary policy easing.