Frigid February Saps Spending as U.S. Consumers Stay Home

Consumer spending barely rose in February as frigid temperatures kept households away from malls and automobile dealerships, adding to signs the U.S. economy slowed at the start of 2015.

The 0.1 percent gain in purchases followed a 0.2 percent drop in January, according to Commerce Department data issued Monday in Washington. Adjusted for inflation, spending declined for the first time in almost a year. Another report showed pending home sales climbed.