US Consumer Spending Stalled in September, Inflation in Line (3)

US consumer spending stalled in September, suggesting Americans were already stretched going into the government shutdown in the face of stubborn inflation.

Consumer spending, adjusted for changes in prices, was little changed in September, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data out Friday. That followed a downwardly revised 0.2% advance in August. The report was scheduled for release on Oct. 31 but was delayed by the government shutdown.

The so-called core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy items, rose 0.2% from August, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data out Friday. ...