U.S. business spending weakens, but consumers upbeat

A gauge of U.S. business investment plans fell for a fourth straight month in December, a potential sign that slowing global growth and falling oil prices were weighing on the economy. "The drop in (capital spending) will weigh on growth, though stronger consumer spending should keep GDP from slowing too much," said Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial in New York. The Commerce Department said non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for busin