2026.10.2912:30:00UTC+00U.S. Personal Spending Growth Cools in September After Strong August Surge

U.S. personal spending growth eased in September 2026, slowing to a 0.5% month-over-month increase from a robust 0.9% gain in August, according to data updated on 29 October 2026. The figures, measured on a month-over-month basis, highlight a moderation in consumer outlays after a particularly strong late-summer advance.

The latest reading indicates that while American consumers continued to increase their spending in September, the pace of growth has pulled back from the prior month’s surge. In August 2026, personal spending rose 0.9% compared with July, whereas September’s 0.5% reflects a more measured expansion relative to August.

This shift suggests a cooling, rather than a reversal, in consumer momentum. As personal spending is a key driver of U.S. economic activity, the step down from August’s pace will be closely watched to see whether it signals a brief pause after strong gains or the start of a more sustained moderation in household demand.