Retail sales rose less than expected in July as consumers still showed signs of rebounding after a pullback in the spring.

Policymakers are under pressure to roll out more stimulus to revive domestic demand and ward off external shocks to the $19 trillion economy.

July's solid 0.5% increase in retail sales was giving way to greater optimism in the stock market on Friday about the ability of consumer

Consumer spending ticked up in July in line with economists’ expectations, suggesting American households remain resilient.

China's economy showed signs of slowing in July as factory output and retail sales slowed and housing prices dropped further, according to data released Friday. Uncertainty over tariffs on exports to the United States is still looming over the world's second-largest economy after President Donald Trump extended a pause in sharp hikes in import duties for 90 days,