US consumer spending slows as overall economy cools

U.S. consumer spending slowed as 2019 ended with the nation’s overall economy completing another lackluster year.
Here’s what some recent government reports tell us …
Consumer spending: In December it rose a moderate 0.3% after a stronger 0.4% gain in November. Income growth also slowed in December, rising by 0.2%, just half the 0.4% increase in November.
Consumer spending is closely watched because it accounts for 70% of economic activity.
For December, spending on big-dollar