Shares of retailers and other consumer companies declined amid fears that the recent surge in consumer spending and confidence will soon slow, if a second stimulus bill is not passed.

The pace of retail-sales growth slowed in August, raising concerns among strategists that the expiry of supplemental unemployment payments had slowed the retail recovery.

"We did see retail sales growth pull back, and then the question is: is that completely related to the termination July 31 of that extra $600?" said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist at Prudential Financial.

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. increased more than expected in early September, but confidence among Americans remained at depressed levels as coronavirus worries persist, results from a University of Michigan survey showed Friday. 



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