Consumer Credit in U.S. Rises by Lowest Amount in Five Months

U.S. consumer debt rose in February by the least in five months as credit-card balances stalled, indicating Americans’ appetite for borrowing waned further after a fourth- quarter shopping spree.

The slowdown in revolving debt, which includes credit cards, helps explain why consumer-spending gains remained relatively sluggish in the first two months of the year. Growth in non- revolving debt, which includes education and auto loans, also eased during February. The data is in line with economists’ forecasts of slower real household demand in the first quarter after a robust 2017.