Consumers are still buying things in the United States, a new report from the Census Bureau said Friday. Spending at U.S. retailers rose 0.5% in July.

Here are three of the stories Wall Street is watching on Friday, Aug. 15. Retail sales in July rose 0.5% from the month prior, slightly below the 0.6% economists polled by Bloomberg were expecting. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting today in Alaska.

Retail sales remain strong, but consumers face slowing wage growth and rising credit card debt, limiting their ability to absorb future tariff-driven price hikes.

Dillard’s Q2 retail sales rose 1% to $1.447B, driven by strong July performance. Net income dipped 2% as the company focused on inventory control amid a shifting retail landscape.

US stock futures were mixed on Friday as Wall Street tempered its rate-cut hopes while July's retail sales advanced. Traders were also awaiting Friday's meeting between President Trump and Vladimir Putin,

Sales at retailers rose solidly in July for the second month in a row, but the increase in spending appeared to be a double-edged sword: Americans are still confident enough in the economy to spend, but they are also paying more because of higher inflation.