U.S. retail sales rose a modest one-tenth of a percent in June, as consumers brought more cars.

Thursday's data from the Commerce Department was better than most economists had predicted.

A separate report from the Labor Department showed the number of Americans signing up for unemployment declined by 22,000 to a nationwide total of 405,000.

While the decline shows employers are laying off fewer workers, some economists say the number of claims has to fall to 350,000 or lower to show a healthy job market.

Still another report showed wholesales prices declined four-tenths of a percent in June as gasoline prices eased.