Consumer spending up slightly in May; inflation remains low

WASHINGTON — Consumer spending increased 0.4% in May, a modest gain that suggests Americans remain confident enough about the economy's outlook to keep shopping.

The Commerce Department said Friday that incomes rose 0.5% and inflation remained tame, increasing just 1.5% in the past year. But there were signs that core prices, which exclude food and energy, accelerated slightly.

Consumer confidence slipped this month but remains at historically high levels. Americans spent more on cars and restaurant meals, according to the government report, a sign that they are willing to make large purchases and spend on discretionary activities, such as eating out.

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The spending gain in April was revised slightly higher to 0.6%. Consumer spending is closely watched because it drives more than two-thirds of economic activity.

Core inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, rose 1.6% last month, the same as in April. Still, monthly readings have picked up slightly, rising 0.2% for the past two months.

Some economists said that suggests that core inflation, which has been slipping this year, may have leveled off and could climb higher in the coming months.

“Overall, consumers are holding tough, while the recent dip in core inflation looks to have stalled,” said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets.

Core inflation has slowed from a pace of 1.8% in January. The Fed has mostly failed to reach its inflation target since adopting it seven years ago. That has increased pressure on the Fed to cut rates to help stimulate the economy. Most analysts expect that the central bank will take that step at its next meeting in July, or the following one in September.

President Trump has cited slow inflation as a reason for the Fed to cut rates and castigated Fed Chairman Jerome Powell for not doing so. He said Powell “blew it” for not cutting rates at a Fed policy committee meeting last week.

Powell has previously described low inflation as transitory, because of cheaper gas prices and other factors. The Fed lifted rates four times last year, but in January put further increases on hold. It then signaled that a rate cut could come during the summer.

The economy expanded at a 3.1% annual pace in the first three months of the year, but most economists are expecting growth to slow in the current quarter to about 2%.

Christopher Rugaber is an Associated Press writer.