Markets mixed as US retail sales rise

Markets were mixed on Friday.

The S&P 500 dipped 0.1 percent but the STOXX Europe 600 rose 0.3 percent and the Nikkei 225 rose 1.1 percent.

A report on Friday showed that US retail sales rose 0.4 percent in August.

“This morning’s number was above expectations but more importantly it’s the sixth straight month of positive growth for retail sales which is a really encouraging,” wrote Mike Loewengart, vice president of investment strategy at E-Trade Financial.

Also supporting markets on Friday was a report that China is adding US agricultural products like soybeans and pork to the list of imports exempted from tariffs.

This move follows reports on Thursday that the US could consider an interim agreement on the trade dispute with China, raising hopes for an eventual resolution.