US government figures show that consumer spending in the country recorded a modest gain in May, suggesting a recovery in one of the most important parts of the economy.
The Commerce Department reported that consumer spending rose 0.3% in May from April, in line with most analysts' forecast.
The May increase in personal spending - which accounts for two-thirds of US economic activity - came after zero change in April and a 0.2% drop in March.
Consumers benefited from President Barack Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus, passed in February, which helped drive personal incomes up a hefty 1.4% in May, the strongest gain in a year.
