US retail sales are expected to rise by 0.2% in June after a 0.9% gain in the previous month, according to a survey compiled by Bloomberg, as gasoline station sales are forecast to decline in June but auto sales are expected to increase despite lower prices.
Prices of new vehicles held steady while used cars and truck prices fell 0.2% in the monthly consumer price report released on Tuesday, but unit sales increased, so a sales gain in Thursday's report is likely.
The data are scheduled to be released at 8:30 am ET Thursday.
Sales outside of motor vehicles are also expected to fall by 0.1% after a 0.8% gain in May, with gasoline station sales forecast to plunge after a 3.4% surge in May. Gasoline prices fell by 9.7% in June after a 7.0% gain in the previous month.
Sales excluding both vehicle sales and gasoline are expected to rise by 0.4%, slower than a 0.5% gain in May but still an indication of underlying strength.
Excluding the motor vehicle, building materials, gasoline station and food services categories, the so-called "control group" is forecast to rise by 0.5% after a 0.7% gain in May.