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Cooling US consumer spending underscores risks to economy

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WASHINGTON: US consumer spending barely rose in August and business investment remained subdued amid lingering trade tensions, prompting economists to slash their economic growth estimates for the third quarter.


The reports on Friday from the Commerce Department, however, likely do not signal a recession is looming as consumer spending remains supported by solid income growth, thanks to the lowest unemployment rate in nearly 50 years and a huge savings buffer.


But the data also showed underlying inflation perking up by the most in seven months on an annual basis in August, which economists said could put the Federal Reserve in a difficult position as it seeks to keep the longest economic expansion on record, now in its 11th year, on track.


The Fed last week cut interest rates for the second time this year, citing the ongoing risks from the Trump administration’s nearly 15-month trade war with China and slowing global growth. The US central bank lowered borrowing costs in July for the first time since 2008.


“We still expect the Fed will cut rates in the fourth quarter, but squaring this soft read on the consumer, business investment and a slight rebound in underlying inflation admittedly pulls the Fed in opposite directions,” said Tim Quinlan, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, North Carolina.


Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, edged up 0.1 per cent last month as an increase in outlays on recreational goods and motor vehicles was offset by a decrease in spending at restaurants and hotels.


Data for July was revised slightly down to show consumer spending increasing 0.5 per cent instead of the previously reported 0.6 per cent advance. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending gaining 0.3 per cent last month.


Consumer spending has been blunting some of the hit on the economy from the US-China trade war, which has sunk business investment and manufacturing.


But with tariffs on Chinese goods broadened to include consumer goods, spending is slowing. There are worries that weak business investment and sluggish profit growth could constrain companies’ ability to continue hiring more workers, and undermine consumer spending.


The tariffs are causing anxiety among consumers. Consumer confidence dropped significantly in September, a survey from the Conference Board showed this week.


A survey from the University of Michigan on Friday showed a small increase in sentiment this month, with consumers voicing rising levels of “economic uncertainty.” Consumer spending surged at a 4.6 per cent annualized rate in the second quarter, the fastest pace in 4-1/2 years.


Economists said August’s small gain put consumer spending on track to grow at between a 2.5 per cent and 3 per cent rate in the third quarter.


 — Reuters


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