May consumer spending up for second month

Washington

US consumer spending rose for a second straight month in May on increased demand for vehicles and other goods, but there are fears that Britain's vote to leave the European Union could hurt confidence and prompt households to cut back on consumption.

The Commerce Department said on Wednesday that consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, increased 0.4 per cent last month, pointing to an acceleration in economic growth in the second quarter.

Consumer spending in April was revised up to show it advancing 1.1 per cent instead of the previously reported 1.0 per cent jump. Last month's increase in consumer spending was in line with economists' expectat…