WASHINGTON — A flow of recent data from the U.S. government has made one thing strikingly clear: A surge in consumer spending is fueling strong growth, demonstrating a resilience that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sour sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in opinion polls.
A 2024 Cooper Countryman S sports-utility vehicle is displayed at a Mini dealership Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Highlands Ranch, Colo. A surge in U.S. consumer spending is fueling economic growth, reflecting a resilience among households that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in surveys. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
File - A couple approaches a JCPenney store in Frisco, Texas, on Aug. 30, 2023. A surge in U.S. consumer spending is fueling economic growth, reflecting a resilience among households that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in surveys. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
File - A family walks past a ticketing area at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, on Sept. 1, 2023. A surge in U.S. consumer spending is fueling economic growth, reflecting a resilience among households that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in surveys. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
People eat at Serendipity 3 restaurant in New York City on Sunday, October 8, 2023. A surge in U.S. consumer spending is fueling economic growth, reflecting a resilience among households that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in surveys.(AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
File - A couple approaches a JCPenney store in Frisco, Texas, on Aug. 30, 2023. A surge in U.S. consumer spending is fueling economic growth, reflecting a resilience among households that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in surveys. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
File - A family walks past a ticketing area at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, on Sept. 1, 2023. A surge in U.S. consumer spending is fueling economic growth, reflecting a resilience among households that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in surveys. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
A 2024 Cooper Countryman S sports-utility vehicle is displayed at a Mini dealership Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Highlands Ranch, Colo. A surge in U.S. consumer spending is fueling economic growth, reflecting a resilience among households that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in surveys. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
People eat at Serendipity 3 restaurant in New York City on Sunday, October 8, 2023. A surge in U.S. consumer spending is fueling economic growth, reflecting a resilience among households that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in surveys.(AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
