Consumer Spending Probably Sped Up in July: U.S. Economy Preview

Spending by U.S. consumers probably climbed in July by the most in five months, easing concern the biggest part of the economy is backsliding, economists said before a report this week.

Purchases rose 0.5 percent after being little changed in June, according to the median estimate from 65 economists surveyed by Bloomberg before Aug. 30 figures from the Commerce Department. Other reports may indicate a recovery in housing is helping make up for a slowdown in manufacturing.