Washington —
One of the main pillars propping up the US economy — consumer spending — may be starting to crack.
For years, a resilient job market has kept Americans from pulling back on their spending, despite persistent fears about where the economy is heading. People’s dollars contribute to two-thirds of economic growth. A buoyant US stock market has also helped drive spending, particularly among wealthier households that are more likely to have financial investments.
That sturdy foundation that supported spending is now under pressure.
On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics