date:Apr 01, 2013
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Consumer spending increased 0.7 percent last month after a 0.4 percent rise in January, the Commerce Department said.
Though part of the increase in spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity, was because of higher gasoline prices, Americans also bought long-lasting goods such as automobiles and spent more on services.
Gas prices at the pump increased 35 cents a gallon last month.
After adjusting for inflation, spending was up 0.3 percent after advancing by t