U.S. retail sales rise more than expected in February

Consumer prices in the U.S. advanced notably above economists' predictions in the month of February partly due to a 1.1% jump of motor vehicle and parts dealers sales the same month, the Commerce Department reported on Wednesday. U.S. retail sales increased 1.1% in February following a 0.2% rise the month before, while it was forecast to gain only 0.5% in February.