The Commerce
Department reported on Thursday that consumer spending in the U.S. rose 1.0
percent m-o-m in August after a revised 1.5 percent m-o-m increase in July
(originally a 1.9 percent m-o-m gain). Economists had forecast the reading to
show an 0.8 percent m-o-m advance.
Meanwhile,
consumer income decreased 2.7 percent m-o-m in August, following a revised 0.5
percent m-o-m advance in the previous month (originally a 0.4 percent m-o-m increase).
Economists had forecast a 2.4 percent m-o-m decline.
The August drop
in personal income was more than accounted for by a decrease in unemployment
insurance benefits. Partially offsetting the drop in unemployment insurance
benefits was an increase in compensation in August.
The personal
consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, excluding the volatile categories
of food and energy, which is the Fed's preferred inflation measure, rose 0.3
percent m-o-m in August, following a revised 0.4 percent m-o-m increase in the
prior month (originally a 0.3 percent m-o-m gain). Economists had projected the
index would rise 0.3 percent m-o-m.
In the 12 months through August, the core PCE
increased 1.6 percent, following a revised 1.4 percent climb in the 12 months
through July (originally a 1.3 percent jump). Economists had forecast an
advance of 1.4 percent y-o-y.