#USRetailSalesMissForecast US Retail Sales Stagnate in February 2026
The latest figures show that US consumer spending hit a wall in December (reported today), missing expectations across the board.
The Numbers
• Actual: 0.0% (Unchanged)
• Forecast: +0.4%
• Previous: +0.6% (November)
• Control Group (GDP Input): -0.1% (Massive miss vs. +0.4% expected)
Why It Missed
A "flight to value" is becoming apparent. Consumers are grappling with the tail end of high prices and a softening labor market. While holiday spending in November was strong, December saw a significant pullback in furniture, electronics, and miscellaneous retail.
Market Impact & Crypto Outlook
1. DXY Weakness: The US Dollar Index (DXY) immediately dipped toward 96.60. A weaker dollar is historically a tailwind for Bitcoin ($BTC).
2. Fed Pivot Hopes: With retail stalling and the "Control Group" turning negative, the case for a March rate cut has strengthened. Markets are now betting that the Fed will have to ease to prevent a deeper slowdown.
3. Crypto Reaction: Bitcoin is currently holding steady above $70,000. If the upcoming CPI and NFP (Non-Farm Payroll) data confirm this cooling trend, we could see a fresh leg up as liquidity expectations shift.
