US retail sales rose less than expected in October as car sales fell, stoking fears that consumer spending could hit economic growth in the fourth quarter.
The Commerce Department said that retail sales rose 0.1% last month, after no change in September, and by 1.7% compared with October 2014.
Economists had forecast a rise of 0.3% for October.
There was a surprise 0.5% fall in sales at car dealerships, after a 1.4% increase in September.