Shares of retailers and other consumer companies were flat after inflation data and a sales report from Target.

U.S. consumer prices ticked higher at the end of 2020, as Americans contended with higher gasoline and food costs along with a rise in coronavirus cases across the country. The consumer-price index, which measures what consumers pay for everyday items including food, clothing and recreational activities, increased a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in December compared with November, the Labor Department said.

Discount giant Target said winter holiday sales rose sharply as more shoppers bought goods online, but shares slipped because of high investor expectations.

Dollar General is incentivizing employees to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Carrefour shares surged after the French retail chain and Canadian convenience-store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard said they were in talks for a possible tie-up. 


 Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-13-21 1729ET