Real Disposable Incomes in U.S. Increase Most Since 2015
- Spending matches forecasts; Fed’s preferred price gauge rises
- Data reflect estimate of $30 billion rise in one-time bonuses
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Americans’ wallets fattened in January on recent tax cuts, indicating increased spending power may boost the economy this quarter.
Real disposable income, or earnings adjusted for taxes and inflation, advanced 0.6 percent from the prior month, the biggest gain since April 2015, according to a Commerce Department report Thursday. Nominal consumer spending grew 0.2 percent, matching the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey and following a 0.4 percent gain. The Federal Reserve’s preferred price gauge, excluding food and energy, had the biggest monthly increase in a year.