First Digital Labs Re-poster

#USRetailSalesMissForecast U.S. Retail Sales Miss Forecast: Quick Take U.S. retail sales stalled in December 2025, coming in at 0.0% growth against a predicted 0.4% increase. This "flatline" suggests that despite a strong stock market, the average American consumer is reaching a breaking point due to high living costs and job insecurity. The Breakdown * The Miss: Sales growth (2.4% YoY) is officially losing the race against inflation (2.7% CPI), meaning people are paying more but getting less. * Winners & Losers: While people spent more on building materials (+1.2%), they pulled back sharply on "wants" like furniture (-0.9%) and electronics (-0.4%). * The "Why": A combination of depleted savings, a 7.7% unemployment rate, and the lingering psychological impact of the recent 43-day government shutdown. What This Means for the Market * Interest Rates: The "miss" actually fueled hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates sooner to jumpstart the economy. * Stock Reaction: Markets remained steady as investors prioritized the hope of cheaper borrowing costs over the news of lower consumer spending. The Bottom Line: The American consumer is finally "tapped out." All eyes are now on the upcoming tax refund season to see if it provides the necessary spark for a Q2 recovery. $ETH $XRP $PEPE #USRetailSalesMissForecast #USTechFundFlows #WhaleDeRiskETH #GoldSilverRally