US consumer spending picks up

US consumer spending slowed to a crawl in January from December, despite a sharp rise in incomes, official data showed on Monday.The Commerce Department reported consumer spending rose a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent in January, the weakest pace since June.The December rise -- the crucial holiday shopping season -- was revised downward to 0.5 percent from 0.7 percent.Consumer spending in January was in line with expectations but personal incomes leaped 1.0 percent after a 0.4 percent rise in December.That was the sharpest gain in incomes since May 2009.

US consumers tightened their wallets in January after the holiday shopping season despite a sharp rise in incomes, official data showed Monday.The Commerce Department reported consumer spending edged up a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent in January, the weakest pace since June.Adjusted for annual inflation at 0.3 percent, consumer spending -- which accounts for about two-thirds of US economic output -- fell for the first time in a year, by 0.1 percent.

US retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.5 percent in January, official data showed Friday in a report suggesting that consumer spending key to economic recovery is gaining momentum.The Commerce Department reported that seasonally adjusted retail sales totaled 355.8 billion dollars in January, a half percentage point higher than in December and 4.7 percent higher than the year-ago level.The increase in retail and food-service sales was better than the 0.3 percent expected by most analysts.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer spending increased by the most in se

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer spending in February increased by the most in seven months even as income rose modestly, which could prompt analysts to scale back expectations of a sharp pull back in economic growth this quarter. The Commerce Department said on Friday consumer spending rose 0.8 percent, as households probably stepped up purchases of motor vehicles, despite a spike in gasoline prices. January's spending was revised up to 0.4 percent from a previously reported 0.2 percent gain. Economists polled by Reuters had expected spending, which accounts for two-thirds of U.S. ...

(WASHINGTON) — Americans spent at the fastest pace in five months in February, boosting retail spending 1.1 percent compared with January. About half the jump reflected higher gas prices, but even excluding gas purchases, retail sales rose 0.6 percent. The report Wednesday from the Commerce Department showed that Americans kept spending last month despite higher Social Security taxes that took effect this year. The retail sales report is the government’s first look each month at consumer spending, which drives about 70 percent of economic activity.

(WASHINGTON) — Americans spent at the fastest pace in five months in February, boosting retail spending 1.1 percent compared with January. About half the jump reflected higher gas prices, but even excluding gas purchases, retail sales rose 0.6 percent. The report Wednesday from the Commerce Department showed that Americans kept spending last month despite higher Social Security taxes that took effect this year. The retail sales report is the government’s first look each month at consumer spending, which drives about 70 percent of economic activity.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retail sales rose more than expected in Fe