Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Economic Watch: Consumer Spending Jumps, Service Sector Declines

Economic Watch: American consumers opened their wallets a whole lot more in May, with consumer spending increasing the most in nearly six years.

by Staff
June 25, 2015
Economic Watch: Consumer Spending Jumps, Service Sector Declines

 

3 min to read


American consumers opened their wallets a whole lot more in May, according to a new U.S. Commerce Department report, with consumer spending increasing the most in nearly six years.

The 0.9% increase from the month before, the biggest since April 2009, came as the government also upwardly revised April’s performance from no growth to a 0.1% gain.

Ad Loading...

On a three-month annualized basis, consumer spending is up 4%, on par with the pace at the end of last year.

The same report also showed a 0.5% increase in personal income for the second straight month, the best back-to-back monthly hikes since early 2014, while the personal savings rate fell to 5.1% from 5.4% in April.

Lindsey Piegza, chief economist at the investment banking firm Stifel, called it “a much more favorable picture of the U.S. consumer, as May spending surged relative to the lackluster pace over the first couple of months of the year. At this trajectory, if sustained, second quarter gross domestic product is positioned to outpace our sub-2% forecast.”

She cautioned that even with an above trend growth rate from April-June, coupled with an annualized 0.2% in the GDP across the first three months of the year, first half growth will remain a disappointment.

“After all, consumption is averaging just 0.2% over the past six months, meaning a more positive, but hardly impressive trend,” she said.

Ad Loading...

The Federal Reserve earlier hinted of a increase in interest rates this summer after being near zero percent for many years, however, the latest indication is that it is hoping for such a liftoff later this year.

A separate report on the service sector part of the economy was less encouraging.

The Flash U.S. Services Purchasing Managers Index from the financial information services information service provider Markit fell to 54.8 in June, from 56.2 in May, though still above the neutral 50 threshold for the 20th successive month.

The report highlighted a further moderation in new business growth from March’s recent peak. Anecdotal evidence suggested that improving domestic economic conditions continued to support new order volumes, although some firms noted a degree of caution among clients about the business outlook, according to Markit. Reflecting this, service providers signaled the least optimistic year-ahead outlook for business activity since March. The degree of confidence in June was also weaker than the average since the survey began in October 2009.

“The latest flash PMI surveys showed the smallest rise in service sector activity since January and the slowest growth of factory output for over a year and a half, linked to the strong dollar,” said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit. “With the exceptions of the weather-related slowdown at the turn of the year and the 2013 government shutdown, June saw the weakest pace of economic growth since May 2013.”

Ad Loading...

He said while this survey and one covering the U.S. manufacturing sector point to the economy growing at an annualized rate of around 3% in the second quarter as a whole, there has clearly been a loss of momentum in recent months.

“With June also seeing one of the smallest increases in new orders recorded over the past two years, the surveys suggest that GDP growth could slow appreciably in the third quarter,” Williamson said.

More Fleet Management

Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
Ad Loading...
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →
CargoNet infographic showing 2025 cargo theft trends
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 22, 2026

Cargo Theft Losses Jump 60% in 2025 as Criminals Target Higher-Value Freight

Cargo theft activity across North America held relatively steady in 2025 — but the financial damage did not, as ever-more-sophisticated organized criminal groups shifted their cargo theft focus to higher-value shipments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Phillips Connect -- McLeod smart trailer TMS.
Fleet ManagementJanuary 22, 2026

Phillips Connect, McLeod Integrate Smart Trailer Data into TMS Workflows

A new partnership between Phillips Connect and McLeod allows fleets to view trailer health, location, and cargo status inside the same McLeod workflows used for planning, dispatch, and execution.

Read More →