Personal Income And Spending Slow, But Consistent With Fed's Expectations

Inflation data are inching higher while softness in spending is offset by strength in wages. The core PCE price index managed only an as-expected 0.2 percent gain in February though the year-on-year rate moved a notch higher to 1.6 percent, which is still subdued but just better than Econoday's consensus. Overall prices also rose 0.2 percent with this yearly rate also up 1 tenth, at 1.8 percent. Movement is slow but is consistent with the Fed's expectations for a gradual rise this year to their 2 percent inflation target.

The strongest news in the report comes from the wages & salaries component of personal income which posted a fourth straight sharp gain, at 0.5 percent. This helped total income which rose 0.4 percent for a third straight month and also helped the savings rate which rose 2 tenths to a still modest 3.4 percent.

Also helping savings, unfortunately for retailers at least, was softness in spending which gained only 0.2 percent for the second straight month. Spending on services, at 0.3 percent, continues to hold up this component.

Consumer spending doesn't look like it will be the backbone of the first-quarter GDP report like it was in the fourth quarter, barring that is a standout month for March. Otherwise, wages and inflation are moving in the right direction, that is consistent with moderate economic growth and gradual removal of stimulus by the Fed.