News Summary:
On March 12, 2026, the CNBC/National Retail Federation Retail Monitor reported U.S. retail sales increased 5.76% from February 2025 and 0.27% from January, while furniture store sales rose an estimated 3% from February 2025 but declined 0.27% since January, potentially due to consumer reluctance for big credit card purchases. Separately, U.S. Trade Representative Greer stated in a CNBC interview that the trade deficit with China decreased by 30%. Earlier that day, CNBC Pro appointed Joseph Wilkins as a reporter in London. Wilkins joined from the Financial Times, where he was chief reporter for FT Adviser’s Asset Allocator, and previously served as funds correspondent and markets fellow at Business Insider, covering global macro trends, stock movers, currencies, and commodities. Additionally, on March 12, a CNBC analyst, speaking live from the Future Proof conference in Miami, asserted that the energy crisis, which The Wall Street Journal described as the most severe since the 1970s, continues to unfold despite a recent market recovery.
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