U.S. retail sales unexpectedly fell in June as households cut back on purchases of automobiles and a range of other goods, which could raise concerns the economy was slowing again and temper expectations of a September rate hike. The Commerce Department said on Tuesday retail sales slipped 0.3 percent, the weakest reading since February, after May’s downwardly revised 1.0 percent increase. Retail sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services dipped 0.1 percent following a 0.7 percent gain in May. These so-called core retail sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product. Coming on the heels of June’s disappointing employment report and sharp drop in small business confidence, the weak retail sales data suggests the economy might have lost some momentum at the end of the second […]