US Consumer Spending Rises Steadily in December

US personal spending increased 0.4% month-over-month in December 2025, or $91 billion, matching November’s pace and market expectations. The gain was driven by a $98.5 billion rise in services outlays, led by higher spending on housing and utilities (+$29.4 billion), recreation services (+$20.9 billion), healthcare (+$20.5 billion), financial services and insurance (+$14.5 billion), and other services (+$10.9 billion). In contrast, goods spending fell by $7.5 billion, weighed down by lower purchases of motor vehicles and parts (-$6.3 billion), other nondurable goods (-$2.9 billion), and clothing and footwear (-$2.4 billion).

Personal spending in the United States rose by 0.5% from the previous month to an annualized $21.410 trillion in November of 2025, extending the 0.5% increase from the previous month, according to data that was delayed due to the US government shutdown. Spending growth was noted both for durable (0.7% to $2.30 trillion) and non-durable goods (0.7% $4.33 trillion) goods. Additionally, spending was also higher for services (0.4% to $14.79 trillion).

US personal spending rose 0.3% month-over-month in September 2025, an increase of $65.1 billion, according to delayed data. The result matched market expectations and followed a downwardly revised 0.5% gain in August. The bulk of September’s growth came from a $63.0 billion increase in services spending, led by housing and utilities ($15.4 billion), health care ($12.6 billion), financial services and insurance ($12.5 billion), food services and accommodations ($8.2 billion), and transportation services ($6.7 billion). Goods spending inched up by $2.1 billion, as a sharp rise in gasoline and other energy goods ($17.2 billion) outweighed declines in motor vehicles and parts (-$7.4 billion), recreational goods and vehicles (-$6.3 billion), and clothing and footwear (-$3.8 billion).