Personal Spending Rises for Fourth Month

Personal spending increased for the fourth straight month in August, and July’s increase was revised upward, the Commerce Department reported Sept. 27.

The 0.3% gain followed July’s 0.2% increase, which was originally reported as a 0.1% upturn.

The August increase matched forecasts by economists Bloomberg News surveyed. Personal incomes grew up 0.4%.

A rise in consumer spending could increase demand for new factory goods and the trucking shipments that move them to stores.