US consumer spending flat in March

US consumers held tight to their wallets in March, spending barely more than they had in February despite enjoying higher incomes, according to Commerce Department data issued Friday. Consumer spending, which typically accounts for two thirds of US economic activity, edged up just 0.1 percent from February but was flat when adjusted for price changes, the department said. Contributing to the economy's weakness at the turn of the year, consumer spending has slowed for three straight quarters, and