U.S. retail sales rebounded more than expected in June, suggesting a modest improvement in economic activity and giving the Federal Reserve cover to delay cutting interest rates while it gauges the inflation fallout from import tariffs.

World shares were mostly higher on Friday after Wall Street rose to records following better-than-expected updates on the economy and a mixed set of profit reports from big U.S. companies. In early European trading,

US retail sales surged 0.6% MoM, far exceeding expectations and signaling robust consumer demand despite recent tariff volatility. Read more on the market's focus.

Tard's attempt to create a global convenience store behemoth was set back when it pulled its $46 billion bid for Seven & i , whose consumers in Japan have emotional ties to their purveyor of rice balls.

Yes, the June retail sales figures were surprisingly strong. But consumer stocks are lagging the market due to inflation concerns.