U.S. families continued to boost their spending in February as their take-home income rose slightly more than expected, the Commerce Department said in a report on Friday.

U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) rose 0.3 percent in February, higher than the 0.2 percent rate in the previous month, according to the report. The increase in spending was in line with the consensus forecast.

U.S. personal income also edged up 0.3 percent in February, matching January's pace of growth, said the department. Economists had expected the income to increase by 0.2 percent for the month.

The U.S. savings rate, personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income, inched up to 4.3 percent in February from 4.2 percent in January.

The price index for PCE excluding food and energy -- the Federal Reserve's preferred measure for inflation -- rose merely 0. 1 percent in February, the same increase as in January, indicating tamed inflation pressure.

Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of the U.S. economic activity. U.S. economy rose more than initially estimated in the fourth quarter of 2013. The real gross domestic product ( GDP) expanded at an annual rate of 2.6 percent and the real PCE increased 3.3 percent. Endite

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)