Consumer Spending Stalls in September Amid Persistent Inflation | AI News Digest
In September, consumer spending in the United States appeared to stagnate amid ongoing inflationary challenges. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, a critical gauge for the Federal Reserve, saw a month-over-month increase of 0.3%, raising the annual inflation rate to 2.8%. This uptick was largely driven by rising prices for gas and food, although the core PCE index, which excludes these more volatile items, reported a slight decline in annual inflation. With disposable income growth slowing to a mere 0.1%, many consumers are increasingly tapping into their savings and relying on credit to sustain their purchasing power. Economic experts note that while there has been a modest improvement in consumer sentiment, it remains subdued, reflecting persistent worries about affordability and overall financial stability.