Consumer Spending Weak in April, More Evidence of Slow Recovery

Take a couple of aspirins and get plenty of sleep, you'll feel better in the morning. That could be a prescription for the discouraging state of the U.S. economic recovery, which saw weak consumer spending in April and only a small advance in personal income, according to the Commerce Department .

Economists had hoped for a 0.3 percent lift in spending -- but it remained flat last month -- and a 0.5 percent gain in incomes, which instead rose only 0.4 percent, the Associated Press reported Friday. The personal savings rate climbed 3.6 percent -- a positive sign in good times but worrisome when the economy is in need of stimulation.

Economists fear growth is not robust enough to significantly push down the stubborn 9.9 percent unemployment rate, the AP said. On Thursday, the government revised downward overall first quarter economic growth by 0.2 percent to 3 percent.