US personal consumption expenditures increased $190.8 billion, or 0.9%, in August 2026, exceeding the 0.8% forecast and accelerating from July's 0.1% gain. Goods spending rose $114.1 billion and services spending increased $76.7 billion. Inflation-adjusted personal spending climbed 0.6%, its largest monthly increase since March 2025. Personal income rose 0.2% to $27,627 billion, following a downwardly revised 0.3% increase in July and missing the expected 0.4% gain. The $66.6 billion increase was driven mainly by higher compensation, led by private wages and salaries, and increased government social benefits, particularly Medicare and Social Security. Disposable personal income rose 0.3%, or $68.6 billion, slowing from July's 0.4% increase, while real disposable personal income was unchanged after rising 0.3% in July. The PCE price index increased 0.3%, and core PCE inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 0.2%.