GLOBAL MARKETS - Stocks Gain, U.S. Yields Fall after Retail Sales Data

GLOBAL MARKET - NEW YORK. A gauge of global stocks advanced for a second straight session on Tuesday and U.S. Treasury yields fell after a softer-than-expected report on consumer spending, while investors digested comments from Federal Reserve officials on interest rates.

The U.S. Commerce Department said retail sales rose 0.1% last month after a downwardly revised 0.2% drop in April and below expectations of economists polled by Reuters for a gain of 0.3%, indicating economic activity was slowing as higher interest rates affect consumer spending patterns.