Stock futures gain after weekly drop; retail sales eyed

LONDON (Reuters) - Stock index futures pointed to a steady open on Wall Street on M

(Reuters) Stock index futures pointed to a higher open o

By Chuck Mikolajczak NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futu

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sales at U.S. retailers fell in March from February, indicating that higher taxes and weak hiring may have made some consumers more cautious about spending. Retail sales declined a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent last month, the Commerce Department said Friday. That followed a 1 percent gain in February and a 0.1 percent decline in January. Both February and January figures were revised lower. Consumers cut back across a wide range of categories last month. Sales at auto dealers dropped 0.6 percent. Gas station sales dropped 2.2 percent, partly reflecting lower prices.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sales at U.S. retailers fell in March from February, indicating that higher taxes and weak hiring may have made some consumers more cautious about spending. Retail sales declined a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent last month, the Commerce Department said Friday. That followed a 1 percent gain in February and a 0.1 percent decline in January. Both February and January figures were revised lower. Consumers cut back across a wide range of categories last month. Sales at auto dealers dropped 0.6 percent. Gas station sales dropped 2.2 percent, partly reflecting lower prices.

LO

By Chuck Mikolajczak NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures were little changed on Thursda