US consumer spending climbed for the second consecutive¹ month in June, despite growing unemployment and falling personal income.

美国消费者消费连续两个月增长，尽管失业人数增长、个人收入下降。

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Consumer spending forms the backbone of the US economy

Spending rose 0.4%, ahead of analysts³' estimates, having increased by 0.1% in May, the Commerce Department said, with rising food and fuel costs blamed.

Personal income fell 1.3% from the previous month - which had seen one-off stimulus⁴ payments from the government.

Consumer spending makes up about 70% of economic activity in the US.

Wages and salaries fell by 0.4% percent in June from May - the eighth straight monthly drop.

Analysts said this meant it was unlikely there would be any marked increases in spending soon.

"The US consumer will not be much of a help during the early stages of the economic recovery," said Joshua Shapiro, chief US economist⁵ at consulting firm MFR.

However he added that there might be further spending increases in July and August through the government's "cash for clunkers（年久失修的旧机器）" scheme - allowing people to trade in old cars and buy newer vehicles at a discount.