U.S. consumer spending increases solidly in June

[August 02, 2016]  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer spending rose more than expected in June as households bought a range of goods and services, suggesting consumption will likely remain strong after surging in the second quarter.

A woman carries shopping bags while walking in lower Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S. June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid - RTX2FFE4

The Commerce Department said on Tuesday consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, increased 0.4 percent in June after a similar gain in May. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending advancing 0.3 percent.

When adjusted for inflation, consumer spending increased 0.3 percent after climbing 0.2 percent in May.

The data was included in last week's second-quarter gross domestic product report, which showed that consumer spending rose at a 4.2 percent annual rate, the fastest in nearly two years. That jump accounted for almost all of the economy's 1.2 percent growth pace during the period.

While the second-quarter's robust pace of consumer spending will probably not be sustained, economists are optimistic that spending will remain solid, underpinned by steadily increasing wages as the labor market tightens, as well as rising house and stock market prices.

Despite the gains in consumer spending in June, there was little sign of inflation. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, excluding the volatile food and energy components, rose 0.1 percent after a 0.2 percent gain in May.

In the 12 months through June the core PCE increased 1.6 percent. It has risen by the same margin since March. The core PCE is the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure and is running below the U.S. central bank's 2 percent target.

In June, consumer spending was lifted by a 0.7 percent rise in purchases of non-durable goods. Spending on services increased 0.5 percent, but outlays on long-lasting manufactured goods such as automobiles fell 0.3 percent.

Spending increased in June despite personal income rising only 0.2 percent after a similar gain in May. Wages and salaries advanced 0.3 percent after rising 0.2 percent in May. With spending outpacing income, savings fell to $732 billion, the lowest level since March 2015.

((Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Andrea Ricci); (([e-mail]; 1 202 898 8315; Reuters; Messaging: [e-mail])))

[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.