US retail sales recorded their biggest jump in 18 months in March, driven by sales of motor vehicles, petrol and clothing, which signalled consumers continue to support the economy. Headline retail sales rose 1.6 per cent month-on-month in March, the Commerce Department said on Thursday — the biggest monthly increase since September 2017. That compared with expectations for a 0.9 per cent increase, according to a Thomson Reuters poll and followed a 0.2 per cent slide the previous month. So-called control retail sales, which strip out volatile items like food, petrol and building materials among others, climbed 1 per cent, against expectations for a 0.4 per cent increase. The report showed a 3.1 per cent increase in sales at motor vehicles and part dealers and a 3.5 per cent increase in sales at gasoline stations. Clothing and accessories store sales were up 2 per cent. The rebound in consumer spending offers signs of encouragement on the health of the US economy. First-quarter growth figures are due next week and economists expect GDP grew 1.8 per cent. https://www.ft.com/content/baec0d4e-61d3-11e9-b285-3acd5d43599e