Gallup: Americans' Daily Spending Highest Monthly Average In April

Americans' daily self-reports of spending averaged $91 in April, up from $86 in March but down from several monthly averages in 2014. However, it is the highest April average since Gallup Daily tracking began in 2008. Spending in April is up $5 from the March average and is higher than the $88 daily average for last April. This is on top of a fairly strong March increase of $4, a potentially positive sign for the economy. The April increase is the largest month-to-month increase since November 2014.

Spending has historically increased in the spring, particularly in May. The increase this April is a departure from the past few years, when April spending was similar to March spending. Still, from a broader perspective, the trend over the past two years is mixed, without the clear upward trajectory measured in 2012 and 2013.

Average reported spending increased slightly in April among middle- and lower-income Americans, reaching $77 among this group with annual household incomes that are less than $90,000. Spending increased more sharply among the smaller number of upper-income Americans -- those with household incomes of $90,000 or more a year -- jumping $16 to $160 in April.

Spending among Americans in both income groups is slightly higher than in April 2014, but failed to eclipse May 2014 spending, when the average among all Americans reached a six-year high.