US DATA: Nov retail sales +0.8% (5th monthly large gain), ex autos
+1.2%, ex autos and gas +0.5%. Better than expected. Oct was revised up
to +1.7% (was +1.2%), so the Q4 avg is strengthening (Dec is the biggest
sales month and analysts will be reluctant to put a growth number to Q4
until more is known about Dec). Nov sales were uneven, with gains
centered in food +0.8%, healthcare +0.9%, gas +4.0%, clothing +2.7%, and
sporting goods +2.3%. Declines were seen in autos -0.8%, furniture
-0.5%, electronics -0.6%, and bldg mats -0.1%.