US Real Consumer Spending Edges Up 0.1% in February

Inflation-adjusted US personal spending edged up 0.1% month-over-month in February 2026, after flat growth in January, reflecting continued household caution in the face of elevated inflation. Goods spending showed a partial rebound, rising 0.2% following a 0.7% decline in January, largely supported by a 4.3% surge in motor vehicles and parts (compared with a 4.2% drop in January). However, other durable goods remained sluggish, and spending on nondurable goods fell for the third consecutive month (-0.2%), dragged down by lower expenditures on off-premises food and beverages (-0.8%) and on gasoline and other energy goods (-0.3%). Services spending also softened, slowing to 0.1% from 0.3% in the prior month, amid weaker demand for housing and utilities, healthcare, recreation, and financial services.