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| - An injection of pandemic aid filled Americans' wallets last month, and while spending rose modestly, according to government data Friday, it will add a jolt to the economy as it claws its way back from recession. A key inflation measure in the data showed prices are starting to bounce back from the depths of the crisis, which could add to investor's fears about rising borrowing costs amid the recovery. The Covid-19 stimulus package approved in late December sent $600 checks to nearly all US workers and extended extra unemployment payments for those who lost their jobs. Personal incomes surged by 10 percent or $1.95 trillion -- the second biggest increase on record since the keeping of data obn this began in 1959 -- the Commerce Department reported. "The increase in personal income in January was more than accounted for by an increase in government social benefits to persons as payments were made to individuals from federal COVID-19 pandemic response programs," the report said. "Unemployment insurance also increased, reflecting an increase in pandemic unemployment compensation." Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) rose 2.4 percent from December, a gain of $340.9 billion, and "the increases were widespread across all categories, led by recreational goods and vehicles," the report said. The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure, the PCE price index, increased 0.3 percent in the month and was 1.5 percent higher than January 2020, according to the report. hs/dw
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