Canadian retail sales decline; U.S. jobless claims rise

(June 21, 2012) -- Canadian retail sales in April unexpectedly declined 0.5 percent in the month, which more than reversed the 0.4 percent increase recorded in March, RBC Economics reported today. In the United States, the four-week moving average of initial unemployment claims posted its fourth consecutive increase and represents the highest four-week moving average of claims since early December 2011.