PCE

Real Consumer Spending Decreased -0.1%, But Wages Get a Boost for June 2012

Consumer spending was unchanged from last month, but after taking price increases into account, decreased by -0.1%. Personal consumption expenditures are often called consumer spending by the press. Real Personal Consumption Expenditures, or PCE, are about 71% of GDP. Real means chained to 2005 dollars, thus adjusted for inflation. Below is a graph of real PCE.

 

Real Personal Consumption Increased 0.1% for May 2012

Consumer spending was unchanged from last month, but after taking price increases into account, shows a 0.1% increase. Personal consumption expenditures are often called consumer spending by the press. Real Personal Consumption Expenditures, or PCE, are about 71% of GDP. Real means chained to 2005 dollars, thus adjusted for inflation. Below is a graph of real PCE. This is not good news for Q2 GDP.

Real Consumer Spending Increased 0.1% for March 2012, Real Disposable Personal Income Up 0.2%

Consumer spending increased 0.3% from last month, but after taking price increases into account, showed only a 0.1% increase. Personal consumption expenditures are often called consumer spending. Real Personal Consumption Expenditures, or PCE, are about 71% of GDP. Real means chained to 2005 dollars, thus adjusted for inflation. Below is a graph of real PCE.

 

Real Consumer Spending Up, 0.5%, Real Personal Income Down, -0.1%, for February 2012

The Personal Income and Outlays report shows people spent more than they earned in February. Consumer spending increased 0.8% from last month, but after taking price increases into account, increased by 0.5%. While disposable income increased by 0.2%, when adjusted for inflation, disposable income actually dropped, -0.1%. Personal income increased 0.2% in February.

Real Consumer Spending Zero, Real Personal Income -0.1%, for January 2012

There is spending and income and then there is spending an income adjusted for price increases. The Personal Income and Outlays report covers individual income, consumption and savings. Consumer spending increased 0.2% from last month, but after taking price increases into account, there was actually no monthly change.

Consumer Spending, Personal Income both up 0.1%, for November 2011

The Personal Income and Outlays report for November covers individual income, consumption and savings. Consumer spending increased 0.1% while disposable income had no change. Personal income increased 0.1% There are two things to garner from this month's numbers. Consumer spending is mute and wages, salaries declined.

Consumer Spending up 0.1%, Personal Income increases 0.4%, for October 2011

The Personal Income and Outlays report for October covers individual income, consumption and savings. Consumer spending increased 0.1% while disposable income has increased 0.3%. Personal income finally came alive, the first time breaking flat line since March, to a 0.4% monthly increase.

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