Consumer Spending Probably Rose on Autos: U.S. Economy Preview

Consumer spending probably climbed in November as Americans flocked to auto dealer showrooms and shopped for holiday bargains, giving the U.S. economy a boost heading into 2012, economists said before a report this week.

Purchases rose 0.3 percent after increasing 0.1 percent in October, according to the median estimate of 62 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News before Commerce Department figures Dec. 23. The report may also show incomes grew 0.2 percent, down from a 0.4 percent gain the prior month.