Consumer Spending Rises More Than Forecast

Consumer personal spending rose 0.4% in July, the biggest gain since March, the Commerce Department said Monday.

The level was greater than economists’ forecasts of a 0.3% increase, Bloomberg reported. Spending had been flat in June.

Personal incomes rose 0.2%, following no change in June, Commerce said. Economists had forecast a 0.3% upturn.

An increase in consumer spending could increase demand for new factory goods and the trucking shipments that get them to stores.