**[U.S. February Retail Sales Show Robust Growth, Oil Prices Pose Concerns]** Odaily Planet Daily News – Data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Wednesday showed that February retail sales exceeded expectations, driven by broad-based growth, including a rebound in automobile purchases. However, the surge in gasoline prices caused by the Middle East conflict may suppress consumption in the coming months. Retail sales, unadjusted for inflation, rose 0.6% in February after a slight decline in January. The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran has pushed global oil prices up by more than 50%, with the national average gasoline price exceeding $4 per gallon for the first time in over three years. The market is concerned that if gasoline prices continue to rise, it could offset some of the positive effects of tax cuts on consumer spending and the overall economy. Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials, and dining services, retail sales increased by 0.5% in February, compared to a 0.2% rise in January. This so-called "core retail sales" is the closest indicator to the consumer spending component of GDP. Consumer spending slowed in the fourth quarter of last year, dragging down the annualized GDP growth rate to 0.7%. (Jin10)