Purchases increased 0.3 percent, the fourth gain in the past five months, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Figures for the prior two months were revised down, taking some of the shine off of today’s data. Sales excluding autos rose 0.8 percent, exceeding all estimates.

A report last week showing the economy lost fewer jobs than anticipated in February signaled employment is on the verge of accelerating, a development that would spur spending in coming months. Macy’s Inc. was among retailers that beat estimates last month as customers overcame the weather to shop for Valentine’s Day gifts and spring merchandise, a sign the expansion is broadening beyond manufacturing.

“The storms were apparently not quite as disruptive as anticipated,” said Adam York, an economist at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina, whose forecast for a 0.6 percent gain excluding autos was the highest of those surveyed. “As we start adding jobs in the spring, employees will gain income and hours and retail sales should follow.”

Stocks reversed gains after a separate report showed consumer sentiment unexpectedly declined this month. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.2 percent to 1,148.19 at 10:12 a.m. in New York after rising as much as 0.3 percent.