U.S. holiday shopping is on track for a modest 3.7% rise this year after strong turnout during the Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend and thanks to strong online sales, the National Retail Federation said Nov. 29 after releasing an annual consumer poll.

Sales at U.S. retailers rose less than forecast in October as consumers pocketed the money saved after fueling up their cars.

Contract signings to purchase previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly fell in September by the most since the end of 2013, indicating the residential real estate market is cooling from its recent brisk pace.

Purchases of new U.S. homes slumped in September to a 10-month low, disrupting a trend of steady improvement this year in the industry.

Consumers in the United States tempered purchases at retailers in September, pocketing the savings from lower fuel costs and making for a weak finish to the third quarter.

Contract signings to purchase previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly declined in August for just the second time this year, signaling residential real estate might have difficulty building on recent momentum.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes fell more than forecast in August, representing a pause in momentum this year for residential real estate.

Retail sales in the United States climbed for a second straight month, a sign consumers may be looking past recent volatility in financial markets.

Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes climbed in July for the sixth time in the past seven months, signaling further momentum in residential real estate.