Consumer purchases unexpectedly stalled in April as Americans used income gains to shore up savings, raising the risk the biggest part of the economy may take time to gain momentum after a slow start to the year.
Industrial production surged in November by the most since May 2010 as U.S. assembly lines churned out more consumer goods and business equipment, signaling manufacturing is bolstering economic growth.
Consumer confidence climbed last week to the second-highest level in a year as an improving job market bolstered Americans views of their financial well-being.
Consumer confidence in the U.S. unexpectedly climbed in August to the highest level in almost seven years, reinforcing signs of a strengthening outlook for the second half of 2014.