Consumer spending up slightly more than expected in May

Washington, D.C. Americans spent a little more in May even as savings touched their highest level in eight months.

Consumer spending edged up 0.2% last month after being flat in April, the Commerce Department said Monday.

Incomes rose for the sixth time in seven months, boosting household finances and potentially providing fuel for greater future spending.

But money spent on goods declined. The increase came from spending on services -- much of that likely the result of Americans using more electricity as the weather warmed up.

Consumers "are still not setting this economic recovery alight, but nor are they rolling over in the face of … high unemployment and lower (stock) prices," Paul Dales, an economist at Capital Economics, wrote in a note to clients, the Associated Press reported.