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Retail sales climbed 1.1% in September, the largest gain since February, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Existing home sales jumped 7.7% in August to a five-month high, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday.

Class 8 U.S. retail truck sales soared in August by 70.8% — the highest increase since 2004 — and crossed the 15,000-vehicle mark for the first time since 2007.

A continued shortage of available low-mileage used Class 8 trucks is being blamed for lower sales and higher prices in July, industry executives and dealers said.

New home sales fell for the third straight month in July, declining 0.7% to 298,000, the lowest level in five months, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

Existing home sales declined 3.5% in July the lowest level since November, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday.

Heavy-duty U.S. retail truck sales grew 31.5% to 12,609 units in July over the 9,589 sold in July 2010, WardsAuto.com reported.

The scarcity of low-mileage used Class 8 trucks has gotten worse, pushing prices nearly 25% higher than what comparable vehicles cost last year, dealers and market analysts said.

New home sales fell for the second straight month in June, declining 1% to 312,000, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.