The Census Bureau is expected to publish U.S. retail sales data for April prior to the start of Tuesday's trading session. 

Here are five key takeaways for investors ahead of the report and analyst reactions to past releases. 

What Investors Need To Know

Economists expect retail sales to rebound 0.7% month over month in April, after falling 0.6% in March.

• In annual terms, retail sales jumped 2.3% in March — the smallest surge since May 2020. 
• Core retail sales (excluding automobiles) will likely increase 0.4% in April, rebounding from a 0.4% drop in March.
• Retail sales fell for the second consecutive month in March
• Increasing interest rates and cost concerns are weighing on consumers' propensity to spend.
• If retail sales fall in April, it would mark the third consecutive month of reductions. The last time three consecutive negative retail sales reports occurred was from August to October in 2015.

How Did Markets React To Prior Retail Sales Reports?

On April 14, preliminary retail sales for March delivered a 1% decline, then revised higher to a 0.6% drop, significantly lower than estimates of a 0.4% fall.

Retail Sales Data for February

On March 14, preliminary retail sales for February delivered a 0.4% decline, then revised lower to a 0.7% drop, and below estimates of a 0.3% fall.

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