U.S. consumer spending gauge rises in September, wholesale inflation muted
By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A gauge of U.S. consumer spending rose in September as Americans likely snapped up Apple's new iPhone and bought leisure goods, but falling sales of automobiles pointed to sluggish economic growth during the third quarter. Other data on Tuesday showed lackluster demand was keeping inflation muted, with wholesale prices unexpectedly falling last month. That should provide the Federal Reserve with ammunition to maintain monthly bond purchases for a while as it tries to nurse the economy back to health. …