US personal spending rose 0.5% month-on-month in April 2026, an increase of $111.1 billion. This marked a slowdown from March’s upwardly revised 1% gain but was in line with market expectations.
Outlays on goods increased by $44.0 billion, driven largely by a $28.8 billion jump in gasoline and other energy goods, reflecting soaring energy prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Additional increases were recorded in food and beverages ($9.5 billion), other nondurable goods ($8.2 billion), and recreational goods and vehicles ($8.1 billion). In contrast, spending on motor vehicles declined by $9.2 billion.
Spending on services advanced by $67.2 billion, led by housing and utilities ($22.7 billion), recreation services ($12.1 billion), food services and accommodations ($11.3 billion), and final expenditures of nonprofit institutions ($9.9 billion).
After adjusting for inflation, real consumer spending rose just 0.1% in April, easing from a revised 0.3% increase in March.
