Friday's US retail sales number was soft and now earnings will be another test

This is the week we find out whether the US consumer is bending, breaking or doing what it always does: Surprising. On Friday, US retail sales fell 0.6% compared to a 0.1% rise expected and core numbers were also soft. That contrasts with months of outperformance and leaves a bit of a question mark on where spending really stands. This week, we will get some corporate help in understanding how…