United States USD

United States Real Consumer Spending QoQ Final

Impact:
Low
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

Latest Release:

Date:
Surprise:
-0.2%
Actual:
4%
Forecast: 4.2%
Previous/Revision:
3.7%
Period: Q4

Next Release:

Date:
Forecast: 1.2%
Period: Q1
What Does It Measure?
The United States Real Consumer Spending QoQ Final measures the total amount of goods and services consumed by households adjusted for inflation over a quarter. It focuses on consumption patterns and expenditures, providing insight into domestic demand, which is a critical component of overall economic health.
Frequency
This indicator is released quarterly and typically reports final figures about one month after the quarter ends.
Why Do Traders Care?
Traders closely monitor Real Consumer Spending as it is a vital gauge of economic activity, influencing key financial markets such as equities and currencies; stronger spending signals robust economic health, which can lead to a bullish outlook for the stock market and the USD. Conversely, weaker figures may lead to bearish sentiments in both currencies and stock markets, highlighting the importance of this indicator for economic forecasts and investment decisions.
What Is It Derived From?
Real Consumer Spending is derived from the National Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) estimates, which aggregate data from various surveys, including the Consumer Expenditure Survey compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This calculation includes adjustments for inflation based on the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index to accurately reflect true consumer purchasing power.
Description
Real Consumer Spending is reported in quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) terms, comparing current consumption metrics against the previous quarter. This approach effectively highlights medium-term economic trends and shifts, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior and its impact on broader economic conditions.
Additional Notes
As a coincident economic indicator, Real Consumer Spending is often aligned with other indicators like GDP growth and employment data, serving to confirm trends in the economic cycle. Its significance is heightened in gauging the overall health of the economy, particularly as consumption is a primary driver of economic activity.
Bullish or Bearish for Currency and Stocks
Higher than expected: Bullish for USD, Bullish for Stocks.

Legend

High Potential Impact
This event has a strong potential to move markets significantly. If the 'Actual' value differs enough from the forecast or if the 'Previous' value is significantly revised, it signals new information that markets may rapidly adjust to.

Medium Potential Impact
This event may cause moderate market movement, especially if the 'Actual' deviates from the forecast or there's a notable revision to the 'Previous' value.

Low Potential Impact
This event is unlikely to affect market pricing unless there's an unexpected surprise or a major revision to prior data.

Surprise - Currency May Strengthen
Actual deviated from Forecast on a medium or high impact event and historically could strengthen the currency.

Surprise - Currency May Weaken
Actual deviated from Forcast on a medium or high impact event and historically could weaken the currency.

Big Surprise - Currency More Likely To Strengthen
'Actual' deviated from 'Forecast' more than 75% of historical deviations on a medium or high impact event and may likely strengthen the currency.

Big Surprise - Currency More Likely To Weaken
'Actual' deviated from 'Forecast' more than 75% of historical deviations on a medium or high impact event and may likely weaken the currency

Green Number Better than forecast for the currency (or previous revise better)
Red Number Worse than forecast for the currency (or previous revise better)
Hawkish Supports higher interest rates to fight inflation, strengthening the currency but weighing on stocks.
Dovish Favors lower rates to boost growth, weakening the currency but lifting stocks.
Date Time Actual Forecast Previous Surprise
Mar 27, 2025
4%
 4.2%
3.7%
 -0.2%
Dec 19, 2024
3.7%
 3.5%
2.8%
 0.2%
Sep 26, 2024
2.8%
 2.9%
1.9%
 -0.1%
Jun 27, 2024
1.5%
 2%
3.3%
 -0.5%
Mar 28, 2024
3.3%
 3%
3.1%
 0.3%
Dec 21, 2023
3.1%
 3.6%
0.8%
 -0.5%
Sep 28, 2023
0.8%
 1.7%
3.8%
 -0.9%
Jun 29, 2023
4.2%
 3.8%
1%
 0.4%
Mar 30, 2023
1%
 1.4%
2.3%
 -0.4%
Dec 22, 2022
2.3%
 1.7%
2%
 0.6%
Sep 29, 2022
2%
 1.5%
1.8%
 0.5%
Jun 29, 2022
1.8%
2.5%
Mar 30, 2022
2.5%
2%
Dec 22, 2021
2%
 1.7%
12%
 0.3%