Personal Income Rises More than Expected

Personal Income calculates the pre-tax income households collect from employment, investments, and other payments. The impact on equity markets is subdued. However, the data is still functional in gauging the ability of consumers to spend residual income, as increasing Personal Income allows for buoyant consumers spending. Also, as consumers make up two-thirds of US GDP, increasing consumer incomes theoretically should drive strong growth in the US economy. Personal income increased $50.3 billion, or 0.4 percent in March, which was higher than the 0.3 percent estimate. Disposable personal income increased $42.5 billion, or 0.4 percent, in March, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Real disposable income increased 0.2 percent in March, in contrast to a decrease of 0.1 percent in February. Real PCE increased 0.1 percent, compared with an increase of 0.5 percent. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $29.6 billion, or 0.3 percent. In February, personal income increased $39.6 billion, or 0.3 percent, DPI increased $29.4 billion, or 0.2 percent, and PCE increased $93.7 billion, or 0.9 percent, based on revised estimates.