Weak U.S. retail sales reinforce Fed caution on rate hikes

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales unexpectedly fell in March as households cut back on purchases of automobiles and other items, further evidence that economic growth stumbled in the first quarter. The two reports suggested the Federal Reserve will probably not raise interest rates until later this year. "The data solidifies the well-entrenched narrative of a very weak first quarter for the U.S. economy.