U.S. consumer spending surged in August, but outlays
adjusted for inflation were weaker than initially thought in the prior month,
reinforcing expectations that economic growth slowed in the third quarter as
COVID-19 infections flared up.
The report from the Commerce Department on Friday, which
showed inflation remaining hot in August, raised the risk of consumer spending
stalling in the third quarter, even if spending accelerates further in
September. Inflation-adjusted, or the so-called real consumer spending is what
goes into the calculation of gross domestic product.
"Third quarter consumer spending is on track for only a
scant gain," said Tim Quinlan, a senior economist at Wells Fargo in
Charlotte, North Carolina. "If COVID cases keep falling and sentiment
turns positive, there is scope for a more solid finish to this tumultuous
year."
Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds
of U.S. economic activity, rebounded 0.8% in August. Data for July was revised
down to show spending dipping 0.1% instead of gaining 0.3% as previously
reported.
Consumption was boosted by a 1.2% rise in purchases of
goods, reflecting increases in spending on food and household supplies as well
as recreational items, which offset a drop in motor vehicle outlays. A global
shortage of semiconductors is undercutting the production of automobiles.
Goods spending fell 2.1% in July. Spending on services rose
0.6% in August, supported by housing, utilities and health care. Services,
which account for the bulk of consumer spending, increased 1.1% in July.
Spending is shifting back to services from goods, but the resurgence in
coronavirus cases, driven by the Delta variant, crimped demand for air travel,
hotel accommodation and sales at restaurants and bars.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending
increasing 0.6% in August.
Inflation maintained its upward trend in August, though
price pressures have probably peaked. The personal consumption expenditures
(PCE) price index, excluding the volatile food and energy components, climbed
0.3% after increasing by the same margin in July. In the 12 months through
August, the so-called core PCE price index increased 3.6%, matching July's
gain.
The core PCE price index is the Federal Reserve's preferred
inflation measure for its flexible 2% target. The U.S. central bank last week
upgraded its core PCE inflation projection for this year to 3.7% from 3.0% back
in June.
The Fed said it would likely begin reducing its monthly bond
purchases as soon as November and signaled interest rate increases may follow
more quickly than expected. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who has maintained that
high inflation is transitory, told lawmakers on Thursday that he anticipated
some relief in the months ahead.
Still, inflation could remain high for a while. A survey
from the Institute for Supply Management on Friday showed manufacturers
experienced longer delays getting raw materials delivered to factories and paid
higher prices for inputs in September.
Stocks on Wall Street were higher. The dollar fell against a
basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury prices were mixed.
High inflation is cutting into spending. Real consumer
spending rose 0.4% in August following a downwardly revised 0.5% drop in July.
With the August and July data in hand, economists predicted that growth in consumer
spending would probably brake to around a 1% annualized rate in the third
quarter.
Consumer spending grew at a robust 12.0% rate in the
April-June quarter, accounting for much of the economy's 6.7% growth pace. The
level of GDP is now above its peak in the fourth quarter of 2019.
The Atlanta Fed cut its GDP estimate for the quarter to a
2.3% rate from a 3.2% pace. Slower growth was reinforced by a third report from
the Commerce Department showing construction spending flat in August. read more
"Even with the softening growth picture, we continue to
expect the Fed to announce the start of tapering at the early November
meeting," said Michael Feroli, chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan in New
York.
The economy remains supported by record corporate profits.
Households accumulated at least $2.5 trillion in excess savings during the
pandemic. Coronavirus infections are trending down, which is already leading to
a rise in demand for travel and other high-contact services. Businesses need to
replenish depleted inventories, which will keep factories humming.
A fourth report from the University of Michigan showed
consumer sentiment ticked higher for the first time in three months in
September. But a survey from the Conference Board this week showed consumer
confidence dropping to a seven-month low in September.
Though personal income gained only 0.2% in August after
rising 1.1% in July as an increase in Child Tax Credit payments from the
government was offset by decreases in unemployment insurance checks related to
the pandemic, wages are rising as companies compete for scarce workers. Wages
rose 0.5% in August, which should help to keep spending supported.
With inflation high, real disposable income dropped 0.3%
after increasing 0.7% in July. The saving rate fell to a still-high 9.4% from
10.1% in July.
"Households still have plenty left in the tank given
rising employment and wages, soaring net worth and massive excess
savings," said Sal Guatieri, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets in
Toronto. "However, rising prices are eating into spending power,
compounding the ongoing lack of supply."
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