THE NEWS: Economic indicators were mixed on Thursday, as solid July sales reports from retailers helped offset weak June manufacturing data.
THE DETAILS: U.S. retailers reported July revenue in stores open at least a year rose 4.5 percent, an encouraging sign at the beginning of the back-to-school season, the second-biggest shopping season. Economists watch the numbers because consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of U.S. economic activity. But the Commerce Department said orders with U.S. factories fell 0.5 percent in June.
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