US consumer spending misses expectation in July; inflation slows

WASHINGTON: US consumer spending barely rose in July, but inflation eased considerably, which could give the Federal Reserve room to scale back its aggressive interest rate increases, according to Reuters.

Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, edged up 0.1 percent last month, the Commerce Department said on Friday. Data for June was revised slightly down to show outlays advancing 1.0 percent instead of 1.1 percent as previously reported.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending would gain 0.4 percent.