Article #236678

Barclays CEO speaks as bank deals with fallout of ex-boss Jes Staley’s ties to convicted child sex offender; Japan’s stock market jumps to new peak in extended rally after Sanae Takaichi’s party secures election victory

Retail sales in the US were flat in December, confounding expectations of a small increase.

Retail sales volumes showed no change against forecasts of a 0.4% gain, and compared with a 0.6% increase in November, according to official figures from the US Commerce Department.