The rise of 1.3 % in personal spending in August was the largest gain since Oct 2001, July was revised to +0.3 % from +0.2 %. Spending showed an increase for the fourth consecutive month. Analysts had expected a rise of 1.1 % in spending, which usually accounts for over 2/3 of the US economic activity. Adjusted for inflation spending rose 0.9 % in August, which was also the largest increase since Oct 2001, after +0.2 % in July.