U.S. consumer spending picks up, but income flat

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - - U.S. consumer spending rose in March as households stepped up purchases of durable goods, suggesting the economy was regaining some momentum after almost screeching to a halt in the first quarter. The Commerce Department said on Thursday that consumer spending increased 0.4 percent last month after rising 0.2 percent in February. While households increased purchases of big-ticket items like automobiles, warmer weather reduced spending on utilities. Economists polled by R