U.S. personal spending growth slowed in April 2026, suggesting a moderation in consumer momentum after a strong March. Month-over-month, personal spending rose 0.5% in April, down from a robust 0.9% increase in March 2026, according to data updated on 28 May 2026.
The shift indicates that while consumers continued to increase their outlays, they did so at a more measured pace compared with the prior month. On a month-over-month basis, the latest figure reflects spending in April versus March, while the previous reading captured March spending relative to February. This easing could signal a gradual cooling in consumer activity after an earlier burst of demand, a dynamic that markets and policymakers will watch closely for clues on the trajectory of U.S. economic growth.