text: Consumption Flat, Durable Spending Sinks  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer spending was  unexpectedly flat in August, government data showed on  Thursday, as shoppers exercised restraint after splashing out  even more than previously thought during the previous month.
inputs: Consumption Flat, Durable Spending Sinks  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer spending was  unexpectedly flat in August, government data showed on  Thursday, as shoppers exercised restraint after splashing out  even more than previously thought during the previous month.