TechFlow reported on October 17 that U.S. retail sales in September increased slightly more than expected, supporting the view that the economy maintained strong growth in the third quarter. U.S. retail sales rose 0.4% month-on-month in September, compared with an unrevised increase of 0.1% in August. Signs of economic recovery may not prevent the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates again next month, but will strengthen expectations of a 25 basis point cut.