Inside October Retail: Weak Headline, Strong Core | S2 E107 | 12-17-25

Markets with Megan: A Quick Financial Markets Update · Dec 17, 2025 · 2m · transcript

We unpack October retail sales: a flat headline hides a stronger 0.8% rise in core spending while restaurants and autos slip. We explain what a tepid consumer means for Q4 growth, markets, and the odds of early Fed rate cuts and tax relief next year.

• government data returns and date context

• headline retail sales flat at 0.0%

• gas, health and personal care, and building materials decline

• core control group rises 0.8%, strongest since June

• autos weaken after EV credit roll-off

• restaurants see biggest drop since February

• implications for GDP and consumer strength

• potential for…